Heavyweight Sons of Tommy Morrison: White Hopes or White Hypes?

Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 

When Jack Johnson won the world heavyweight title at Sydney Stadium in Sydney. Australia, on December 26, 1908, the world searched desperately for the next ‘Great White Hope’. Decades later, Joe Louis was America’s counter to German supremacy when he knocked out Max Schmeling in a rematch, so racial and ethnic lines were shattered by Louis. This paved the way for boxers of all backgrounds who followed. When Gerry Cooney fought Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace Outdoor Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 11, 1982, Cooney had been hyped and billed as the next ‘Great White Hope’. The extreme publicity distracted Cooney to the extent it interfered with his concentration for the bout, which he lost, though the hype made both Cooney and Holmes millions of dollars.

 

Buster Mathis Jr., Isiah Seldon, Peter McNeeley, Marvis Frazier, Cory Spinks, Darrell Spinks, Leon Calvin, Laila Ali and Tracy Harris Patterson are children of former world heavyweight champions who fought pro. No son of a former world heavyweight champion has ever won the world heavyweight championship. 24-0 Laila Ali won the WBC Female World Super Middleweight title in 2005. Cory Spinks won the IBF World Welterweight title in 2003, and the IBF World Super Welterweight title in 2006. Cruiserweight contender Mike Hunter Jr. is the son of the late noted heavyweight Mike ‘The Bounty’ Hunter.

 

Along comes Freddie Roach fighter Trey Lippe Morrison, age 28, 13-0 with 13 knockouts, and James McKenzie Morrison, age 27, 13-0-2 with 11 knockouts, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, sons of former world heavyweight champion Tommy ‘The Duke’ Morrison. The younger Morrison’s record has two majority draws, and neither never won a bout past the fourth round. The untested Morrison brothers have not fought a higher level fight-at least not yet.

 

Marvis Frazier lost to Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson. Buster Mathis Jr. fought to a No-Contest against Mike Tyson and Mike Hunter. Peter McNeeley lost to Mike Tyson. The verdict is not yet out on the largely quiet careers of Isiah Seldon and James McKensie Morrison, who would have to win a great many fights to gain the attention of promoters.

 

James McKensie and Trey Lippe-Morrison have one edge over their famous father. With Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder sitting on top of the world, and Tyson Fury on the sidelines, the world is looking for another ‘Great White Hope’. Joseph Parker, who holds a share of the world heavyweight title, will fight Joshua next. If he does not succeed, James and Trey’s heavyweight careers could be of interest in the future if they continue to win.

 

 

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].