The Duke vs Buster: Heavyweight Thunder Clash

Описание: Tommy Morrison: Life, Career, Family
Life
Tommy Morrison was born on January 2, 1969, in Gravette, Arkansas. He grew up mostly in Jay, Oklahoma – a small town. His early life was tough. He started boxing at age 10, and by 13, he was fighting adults using a fake ID. Tommy wanted to be an actor at first, inspired by the movie Rocky. He looked like John Wayne, so his nickname was "The Duke." Life got hard later – he tested positive for HIV in 1996, which stopped his career for a while. He denied it for years and tried comebacks. Sadly, he died on September 1, 2013, in Omaha, Nebraska, at age 44 from cardiac arrest. He lived a wild life with ups and downs, but he's remembered as a fighter.
Career
Tommy turned pro in 1988 after a short amateur run – he lost at the Olympic trials to Ray Mercer. He won his first 28 fights, many by knockout. His big win was in 1993: he beat George Foreman for the WBO heavyweight title. He starred in Rocky V as Tommy Gunn. But he lost the title soon to Michael Bentt. Other losses were to Ray Mercer and Lennox Lewis. After HIV news, he fought a few more times, including MMA (1 win). His record: 48 wins (42 KOs), 3 losses, 1 draw. He was known for his strong left hook.
Family
Tommy's mom, Diana, was Native American (Ponca and Otoe). His dad, Tim, had Irish roots and got him into boxing. He had an older brother and uncles who boxed too. Tommy had kids early – two by age 19. He married multiple times; his last wife was Trisha (engaged 2009, married 2011). His sons include Kenzie Witt Morrison (a pro boxer) and Tristin Duke Morrison. Family pushed him in sports but also had tough times.

James "Buster" Douglas: Life, Career, Family
Life
James Douglas was born on April 7, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio. He's 65 now (in 2026). He grew up in a mostly Black neighborhood called Linden. His dad was a boxer, so he started young at age 10. Buster also loved basketball – he won a state high school title in 1977 and played in college. Life had big moments: in 1990, he shocked the world by beating Mike Tyson. But before that, his mom died, which motivated him. After boxing, he stayed low-key, living near Columbus. He's had health issues but focuses on family now.
Career
Buster turned pro in 1981. He was good but had ups and downs – some called him a quitter early on. His huge moment: February 11, 1990, in Tokyo, he knocked out undefeated Mike Tyson as a 42-1 underdog. He became undisputed heavyweight champ! But he lost the title later that year to Evander Holyfield. He retired in 1999 after a comeback. Record: 38 wins (25 KOs), 6 losses, 1 draw, 1 no contest. He won Golden Gloves as an amateur and Ohio State Fair titles.
Family
Buster's dad, William "Dynamite" Douglas, was a pro boxer who coached him. His mom was Lula Pearl Douglas – her death right before the Tyson fight inspired him. He married Bertha M. Paige in 1987; they almost divorced in 1990 but stayed together. They have four sons and live outside Columbus. Family was key – his dad ran a gym, and boxing was in the blood.