June 1995, twenty nine years ago. This is my story. As a boxing promoter for over 30 years, this was my biggest challenge. While I've promoted world title fights, Tommy Morrison vs. Razor Ruddock had the most highs and lows I've ever experienced. Three years earlier, Tommy beat George Forman for the WBO heavyweight world title. It was negotiated that Tommy would fight Lennox Lewis after this fight for 8 million dollars. We took a fight before Lewis that was supposed to be easy for Tommy. The $8 million payday ended when Michael Bentt knocked Morrison out. Everyone dropped Tommy, his manager, and his other promoter, Bob Arum. As Tommy's only promoter, I had to take his next fight for 60,000, which was deflating after [the talk of] $8 million. Having his trainers Tom Virgets and Doug Dragert on board helped him get back on track.

 

After his next seven wins, Tommy was again dubbed one of the best heavyweights in the world. To get Tommy back in a title fight, we had to make a signature win. The boldest decision of my life happened during this time. Tommy would be in a pay-per-view event, and I'd be the sole promoter. It was risky: I had to raise millions in 8 weeks. After that, I signed a deal with Razor Ruddock to fight Tommy without any money. I also signed a contract with Roberto Duran to fight on the event. Lots of contracts were signed to produce the event, from advertising to production companies, and I had to pay for everything.

 

Currently, I had 45,000 in my bank account and the pressure was killing me. I'm in over my head. Every investor I met declined. To meet my last hope for an investor, Tom Virgets broke from training Tommy and came with me to Oregon. Again, we got rejected. On the flight home, Virgets asked me when I needed to make the next PPV down payment. I looked at him and said another $50,000 tomorrow. Virgets looked after me, and I trusted him. He said, "Tony, you did a great job, but it's time to give up." But I couldn't give up. With only 10 days left to raise five million dollars, I emptied my bank account

 

I was young and my wife was pregnant with our second child Bryce. Words can’t describe the stress I was under. Virgets and I didn't tell Tommy about the problems, because we wanted him to focus on Razor Ruddock. Suddenly, I found a financial backer four days later, United Video, which was six blocks from my house. What a miracle that a big company invested this much money so fast. Now it's done! The Morrison vs Ruddock fight is in six weeks, we named it Raw Power.

 

It was only the beginning of the problems.

 

I set up a press tour for Morrison and Ruddock in eight major cities. First press conference was in NYC, and all the media was there. Only Ruddock didn't show up, his promoter said he missed his flight. Next up was Miami, Florida, where all the press showed up, but Ruddock wasn't there. As Ruddock's promoter made excuses, I was beside myself. I hear my cell phone ring "Tony, this is Razor Ruddock, I don't have a contract and I don't know how much I'm making." I have your signed contract, Razor, don't play games, you know what you're getting paid. He said the guy claiming to be his promoter wasn't with him anymore and he must have forged his name.

 

Here's my dilemma. Someone's lying. If Ruddock's promoter is right, Ruddock doesn't fight. When I give Ruddock a contract without the promoter, Ruddock will fight, but I'll get sued for millions by his so-called promoter. You have to remember I was a young promoter doing this show alone. I didn't have time to go to court before the fight, so I went with my gut. I signed a contract directly with Ruddock to fight Morrison. Both Ruddock and Morrison finished the press tour. Everything's fine.

 

Next, Roberto Duran wants more money to fight, even though he has a signed contract. And a lot more. I desperately needed him to fight, and the fight was heavily promoted in Panama. At this point, every dime I had was going toward this event. I didn't have the money to make my car payment and I couldn’t turn back to the investor. A close friend loaned me the money and now the fight is back on.

 

The day of the fight. We have a problem. As Morrison's promoter, I found the smallest ring possible because we thought Morrison would have an advantage.There's nothing wrong with that, but I might have gone too far with this. There were only 15 feet between the ropes in the ring. That's unheard of in boxing, it's like fighting in a phone booth.

 

Four hours before the show, I'm getting dressed and my phone rings. It’s Ruddock’s trainer. You better get a bigger ring or Ruddock won't fight! ” If I wanted to change the ring, I couldn't. Television production cameras and lighting are set. I told him I couldn't do anything. My cell phone rings an hour before the event, and it's Ruddock's trainer again. "Ruddock is waiting for a cab in the hotel lobby. I scream In two minutes I'll be there, so please wait. My first thought when I ran to the hotel was that I'm going to lose this fight after all this work and everything I'd gone through.

 

As I walk in, I see the lobby. Ruddock wore street clothes with his bags packed. He said he wasn’t fighting in that ring and he was serious. I was having a meltdown as I made the bluff of my life. Then I started screaming, I'm sick of both of you fighters. Tommy said he won't fight either. Razor, I don't blame you. Just go home. I'm done with you and Tommy! When I turned and walked away, Razor yelled, "I'm gonna knock your boy out in that ring.”. I keep walking and never looked back because I didn’t want him to see the excitment on my face.

 

The 90's were the era of bomb threats. If I did anything right, it was this. I asked the city authorities if we could do a sweep through the arena before the doors open. The dogs were brought in the day of the show. There was a bomb threat thirty minutes before doors opened. The fire marshal called me to let me know. No worries, the arena was cleared hours ago and the doors will open on time. We're starting the event. There were some great undercard fights, and Roberto Duran won by KO.

 

Just before Tommy leaves for the ring, I walk into his dressing room. When I was leaving Tommy gloved up and yelled "Tony come here" He whispered in my ear. You did your job, now I'll do mine, I've got this for you."

 

The entrance of Morrison and Ruddock was one of my favorites, laced with lots of pyro. Michael Buffer announces both fighters with his signature "Let's get ready to rumble". Right now, I know this fight is happening, but I'm more stressed than ever. If Tommy wins, he'll make millions for his next fight. If he loses we are both back to ground zero and I will be broke.

Round one. Ruddock drops Tommy with a huge upper cut and Tommy looks hurt. The next few rounds were all-out war.

Tommy looks out of gas at this point, and I was seriously doubting we'd win.

 

That's when it happened, the greatest left hook in the history of boxing. Tommy dug deep and exploded with a massive left hook. Ruddock landed on his back with his feet in the air. Ruddock gets up somehow, but Tommy steps back and gives all he's got. As Ruddock was being nailed with punches, the fight was stopped 5 seconds before the bell.

Tommy wins.

 

My life changed forever on June 10, 1995. So many doors opened up because of this event. Later that year, I got sued in a New Jersey federal court for signing a contract with Ruddock. A judge ruled Ruddock's former promoter forged his signature, and I won. All money I gave him had to be repaid then he filed bankruptcy and no money was returned. Everyone made a lot of money except for me when Razor Ruddock's former promoter sued me. Although I won the case, I lost everything on attorney fees. Ultimately, it was worth it as it was one of the greatest nights of my life. I acquired the rights to this classic fight featuring Tommy's most devastating left hook. It will be nice to see the rights passed down to the estate of Tommy's sons. 

 

One of boxing's greatest warriors, Tommy Morrison will always be remembered. There's something most people don't know about Tommy -- he was the most loyal fighter in boxing. The only thing we had between us was a strong relationship and friendship, not a contract.