Wikipedia

Michael Moorer

Not to be confused with Michael Moore.

Michael Lee Moorer (born November 12, 1967) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2008. He won a world championship on four occasions in two weight classes, having held the WBO light heavyweight title from 1988 to 1991; compiling 22 straight KOs in 22 fights and the WBO heavyweight title from 1992 to 1993; the unified WBA, IBF and lineal heavyweight titles in 1994; and regained the IBF heavyweight title again from 1996 to 1997 becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion.[2]

Michael Moorer
Moorer in 2009
Born (1967-11-12) November 12, 1967 (age 57)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesDouble M
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1]
Reach76 in (193 cm)[1]
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights57
Wins52
Wins by KO40
Losses4
Draws1

Michael Moorer was an undefeated southpaw in his first 35 professional bouts. He captured the WBO light heavyweight title in 1988 which he defended 9 times. In 1991, Moorer moved up to Heavyweight winning the vacant WBO heavyweight title from Bert Cooper via TKO in 1992. He went on to beat Evander Holyfield for the unified WBA, IBF and lineal heavyweight titles in 1994. He remains one of only two southpaws to win the lineal world championship at heavyweight, being joined by Oleksandr Usyk, and the only light heavyweight world champion to win a heavyweight world title on more than one occasion.

Moorer is only one of four boxers over the last century that has ever won a version of a world title at both light heavyweight and heavyweight along with Roy Jones Jr., Michael Spinks, and James Toney.

Since retiring from the sport, Moorer has worked as a boxing trainer. In 2009, he worked alongside Freddie Roach at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.[3]

Moorer was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.[4]

Amateur career

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Moorer was born in Brooklyn and raised in the small town of Monessen, Pennsylvania. From an early age, Moorer began playing football and was raised by a single mother, who noticed Moorer's unusual hyperactivity. At age 10, Moorer's grandfather, a former New York Golden Gloves Champion who sparred with greats such as Archie Moore, encouraged Moorer to begin training at age 11. Moorer is naturally right-handed, but fought the entirety of his career as a southpaw. Moorer graduated from Monessen High School in 1987, where he starred in football as a linebacker and tight end.[5]

As his amateur career developed, Moorer moved to Detroit, Michigan to train with the legendary Emanuel Steward. In 1986, Moorer was a National Champion for the 156 lb (light middleweight) weight class. At Steward's Kronk Gym, Moorer was known for beating professionals while still an amateur. Moorer also won a bronze medal at the Goodwill Games, and finished his amateur career with a record of 48–16.

Professional career

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Light heavyweight

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Moorer had a fast rise through the professional boxing ranks. He debuted on March 4, 1988, knocking out Adrian Riggs in the first round. Before the year's end, he was undefeated in eleven bouts (winning all by way of early round knockouts) and fighting for the world title for the first time. He acquired the newly created WBO light heavyweight title with a five-round knockout of Ramzi Hassan.

In 1989, he retained the title six times, beating Freddie Delgado, Frankie Swindell, Mike Sedillo and former WBA champion Leslie Stewart, among others.

In 1990, he retained the title three times before the end of the year, beating Mario Melo and former Michael Spinks challenger Jim McDonald, among others.

Heavyweight

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1991 saw Moorer move up to the heavyweight division. He rolled through the competition en route to securing an opportunity to fight for the vacant WBO heavyweight championship the following year against Bert Cooper. Moorer stopped Cooper in the fifth round after both fighters were down and hurt during the bout.

He did not defend the then-lesser regarded WBO heavyweight belt. Moorer and trainer Emanuel Steward parted ways after the Cooper fight. Moorer eventually joined Lou Duva's team, and was trained by Georgie Benton for three fights in 1993, including a 10-round decision win over former champion James "Bonecrusher" Smith.

Moorer then parted ways with the Duvas and Benton, and hired New York-based trainer Teddy Atlas in late 1993. Moorer closed the year with a ten-round decision over Mike Evans.

Unified heavyweight champion

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Main articles: Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer and Michael Moorer vs. George Foreman

On April 22, 1994, Moorer challenged Evander Holyfield for the lineal, IBF, and WBA title belts. In round 2 Holyfield sent Moorer down on the canvas, but Moorer overcame and went on to win a majority decision. As a result, he became the first-ever southpaw heavyweight champion.

In his first defense of those belts, on November 5, 1994, Moorer faced 45-year-old George Foreman, who lost his last fight for the vacant WBO heavyweight title to Tommy Morrison. For nine rounds, Moorer easily outboxed him, hitting and moving away, while Foreman moving forward, seemingly unable to "pull the trigger" on his punches. Moorer was ahead on all three judges' scorecards entering the 10th round, when Foreman hit him with a number of long-range jabs. Then, suddenly, a short right hand caught Moorer square on his chin, gashing open his bottom lip, and he collapsed to the canvas. Moorer was knocked out and lost the world championship. He also lost his undefeated record. Foreman, at age 45, became the oldest fighter ever to win the world heavyweight title.

The following year, Moorer re-grouped by winning against fringe contender Melvin Foster. Meanwhile, Foreman retained the title with a close and controversial decision against German fighter Axel Schulz.

Because of the controversial nature of the Foreman-Schulz bout, the IBF ordered Foreman to travel to Germany for a rematch, but Foreman refused, choosing to leave the IBF belt vacant instead. South African Francois Botha travelled to Germany instead and beat Schulz with another close decision to claim the title, but he was stripped of it when he tested positive for illegal substances shortly after.

Third heavyweight title reign

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Main articles: Michael Moorer vs. Axel Schulz, Michael Moorer vs. Francois Botha, and Michael Moorer vs. Vaughn Bean

Moorer was then given the opportunity to fight Schulz for the vacant crown in Berlin. On June 22, 1996, Moorer won the IBF heavyweight crown once again, beating Schulz by a 12-round split decision.

He became a three-time heavyweight champion; WBO (1992), WBA/IBF (1994) and IBF (1996–1997). When Moorer held the WBO heavyweight title, it wasn't considered an authentic heavyweight title. Ironically, Moorer has always been recognized as a former light heavyweight champion despite only ever holding the WBO title at that weight.

Moorer's first defense came against Botha on November 9, 1996. In a brutal one-sided bout, Moorer, leading on the cards going into the 12th, ended with a flourish, knocking Botha out 18 seconds into the final round.

In March 1997, Moorer retained his belt with a 12-round decision over previously undefeated Vaughn Bean before parting ways with trainer Teddy Atlas, with whom he'd been experiencing increasing tension since the beginning of their professional relationship. He replaced him with Freddie Roach.

Holyfield vs. Moorer II

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Main article: Evander Holyfield vs. Michael Moorer II

On November 8, Moorer lost his IBF title in a unification match with WBA champion Evander Holyfield. Moorer was knocked down five times before ringside doctor Flip Homansky advised referee Mitch Halpern to stop the bout in round eight.

Comeback

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After this, he retired from boxing for three years before returning with a knockout of journeyman Lorenzo Boyd. Moorer had begun drinking heavily and weighed 270 pounds. During his comeback, he won three more fights, then seemingly retired again when he was knocked out only 30 seconds into round one by David Tua on August 17, 2002. However, he returned to the ring once again on March 29, 2003, beating Otis Tisdale on points over ten rounds. On August 23, 2003, he beat Brazil's Rodolfo Lobo by knockout in only 64 seconds.

After a layoff of almost a year, he returned on July 3, 2004, losing a ten-round unanimous decision to Eliseo Castillo in Miami, Florida. In December of that year, Moorer rallied from a severe deficit on the scorecards to hand former cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov his first knockout loss. He continued fighting, winning all of his bouts against limited opposition. His last fight was a KO win over Shelby Gross in 2008. Following the fight, Moorer retired from professional boxing.

Personal life

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Moorer was arrested in 1989 for taking part in a brawl in Charleroi, Pennsylvania.

In 1991, just days after his win over Alex Stewart, Moorer was arrested for assaulting a police officer. Moorer had reportedly been intoxicated at the time of his arrest. The officer he punched suffered a broken jaw. Moorer later was placed on probation and settled the case out of court.[5]

Professional boxing record

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57 fights 52 wins 4 losses
By knockout 40 3
By decision 12 1
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
57 Win 52–4–1 Shelby Gross KO 1 (10), 0:32 Feb 8, 2008 Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai, UAE
56 Win 51–4–1 Roderick Willis SD 10 Oct 31, 2007 José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
55 Win 50–4–1 Rich Boruff TKO 1 (8), 1:34 Aug 16, 2007 Figali Convention Center, Panama City, Panama
54 Win 49–4–1 Sedreck Fields UD 10 Mar 16, 2007 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
53 Win 48–4–1 Cliff Couser KO 1 (10), 1:36 Dec 9, 2006 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
52 Win 47–4–1 Vassiliy Jirov TKO 9 (12), 2:08 Dec 9, 2004 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. Won vacant WBA–NABA and WBC Continental Americas heavyweight titles
51 Loss 46–4–1 Eliseo Castillo UD 10 Jul 3, 2004 American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S.
50 Win 46–3–1 Jose Arimatea da Silva TKO 7 (10) Jan 17, 2004 Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
49 Win 45–3–1 Rogério Lobo KO 1 (10), 1:04 Aug 23, 2003 Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
48 Win 44–3–1 Otis Tisdale UD 10 Mar 29, 2003 Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
47 Loss 43–3–1 David Tua KO 1 (10), 0:30 Aug 17, 2002 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
46 Win 43–2–1 Robert Davis UD 10 Feb 16, 2002 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
45 Win 42–2–1 Terry Porter TKO 4 (10), 1:11 Dec 9, 2001 Great Plains Coliseum, Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S.
44 Draw 41–2–1 Dale Crowe TD 5 (10), 0:35 Jul 27, 2001 Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S. TD after Crowe cut from accidental head clash
43 Win 41–2 Terrence Lewis TKO 2 (10), 2:42 Jan 12, 2001 Lucky Star Casino, Concho, Oklahoma, U.S.
42 Win 40–2 Lorenzo Boyd TKO 4 (9), 1:22 Nov 17, 2000 Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, Iowa, U.S.
41 Loss 39–2 Evander Holyfield RTD 8 (12), 3:00 Nov 8, 1997 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost IBF heavyweight title;
For WBA heavyweight title
40 Win 39–1 Vaughn Bean MD 12 Mar 29, 1997 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF heavyweight title
39 Win 38–1 Francois Botha TKO 12 (12), 0:18 Nov 9, 1996 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF heavyweight title
38 Win 37–1 Axel Schulz SD 12 Jun 22, 1996 Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany Won vacant IBF heavyweight title
37 Win 36–1 Melvin Foster UD 10 May 13, 1995 ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
36 Loss 35–1 George Foreman KO 10 (12), 2:03 Nov 5, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBA and IBF heavyweight titles
35 Win 35–0 Evander Holyfield MD 12 Apr 22, 1994 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won WBA and IBF heavyweight titles
34 Win 34–0 Mike Evans UD 10 Dec 4, 1993 Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
33 Win 33–0 James Pritchard TKO 3 (10), 2:46 Jun 22, 1993 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32 Win 32–0 Frankie Swindell TKO 3 (10), 1:42 Apr 27, 1993 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
31 Win 31–0 James Smith UD 10 Feb 27, 1993 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30 Win 30–0 Billy Wright TKO 2 (10), 1:26 Nov 13, 1992 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
29 Win 29–0 Bert Cooper TKO 5 (12), 2:21 May 15, 1992 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant WBO heavyweight title
28 Win 28–0 Everett Martin UD 10 Mar 17, 1992 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
27 Win 27–0 Mike White UD 10 Feb 1, 1992 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
26 Win 26–0 Bobby Crabtree RTD 1 (10), 3:00 Nov 23, 1991 Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
25 Win 25–0 Alex Stewart TKO 4 (10), 1:54 Jul 27, 1991 The Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 Levi Billups TKO 3 (10), 2:49 Jun 25, 1991 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Terry Davis TKO 2 (10), 1:52 Apr 19, 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Danny Stonewalker TKO 8 (12), 0:11 Dec 15, 1990 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
21 Win 21–0 Jim MacDonald TKO 3 (10), 0:55 Aug 21, 1990 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Mario Oscar Melo KO 1 (12), 1:52 Apr 28, 1990 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
19 Win 19–0 Marcellus Allen RTD 9 (12), 3:00 Feb 3, 1990 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
18 Win 18–0 Mike Sedillo TKO 6 (12), 2:07 Dec 12, 1989 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
17 Win 17–0 Jeff Thompson KO 1 (12), 1:46 Nov 16, 1989 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
16 Win 16–0 Leslie Stewart TKO 8 (12), 2:05 Jun 25, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
15 Win 15–0 Freddie Delgado TKO 1 (12), 2:39 Apr 22, 1989 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Frankie Swindell TKO 6 (12), 2:50 Feb 19, 1989 High School Gym, Monessen, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
13 Win 13–0 Victor Claudio TKO 2 (12) Jan 14, 1989 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. Retained WBO light heavyweight title
12 Win 12–0 Ramzi Hassan TKO 5 (12), 2:37 Dec 3, 1988 Brook Park, Ohio, U.S. Won inaugural WBO light heavyweight title
11 Win 11–0 Glenn Kennedy KO 1, 0:36 Nov 4, 1988 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Carl Williams TKO 1, 1:15 Oct 17, 1988 Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Jorge Suero TKO 2 Oct 7, 1988 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Jordan Keepers TKO 2 Aug 12, 1988 The Eagles Club, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Terrence Walker RTD 5 (10), 0:01 Aug 6, 1988 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 LaVelle Stanley TKO 2 Jun 25, 1988 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Keith McMurray TKO 2 (4) Jun 6, 1988 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Dennis Fikes TKO 2 May 10, 1988 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Brett Zwierzynski KO 1 (6) Apr 29, 1988 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Bill Lee TKO 1 Mar 25, 1988 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Adrian Riggs TKO 1 (4), 2:26 Mar 4, 1988 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the George Foreman fight.
  2. ^ "Michael Moorer". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  3. ^ "Roach fires Moorer--report". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. June 22, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  4. ^ Joseph Santoliquito (December 7, 2023). "Diego Corrales and Ricky Hatton top the 2024 Hall of Fame Class". The Ring. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Michael Moorer: A Paradoxical Hall of Fame Career". April 27, 2005.
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Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Tim Littles 		U.S. light middleweight champion
1986 		Next:
Joe Bir
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Lance Whitaker 		WBA–NABA heavyweight champion
December 9, 2004 – March 2005
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Taurus Sykes
Vacant
Title last held by
James Toney 		WBC Continental Americas
heavyweight champion
December 9, 2004 – April 2005
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
DaVarryl Williamson
World boxing titles
Inaugural champion WBO light heavyweight champion
December 3, 1988 – April 1991
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Leeonzer Barber
Vacant
Title last held by
Ray Mercer 		WBO heavyweight champion
May 15, 1992 – February 2, 1993
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Tommy Morrison
Preceded by WBA heavyweight champion
April 22, 1994 – November 5, 1994 		Succeeded by
IBF heavyweight champion
April 22, 1994 – November 5, 1994
Vacant
Title last held by
George Foreman
vacated 		IBF heavyweight champion
June 22, 1996 – November 8, 1997 		Succeeded by
Evander Holyfield
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