The fight between Tommy Morrison and Ray Mercer was rescheduled for October 18th, 1991 in Atlantic City, following the August 9th postponement. I went over my brother’s house to watch it on pay-per-view, and remember the announcement that opened the TVKO broadcast.
The Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson bout for November 8th in Las Vegas had been cancelled. Supposedly, Tyson had injured himself doing sit-ups, but I never believed it for a second. The stress and concern over his January court date for rape in Indianapolis is what shut down that fight, and it never was rescheduled. Evander instead fought Bert Cooper in November, while Tyson prepared for his legal battles.
As far as the main event, I had concerns before it started. I liked Tommy, but knew he was untested. Mercer had a granite chin and was a big puncher, and I figured sooner or late would put Tommy’s lights out.
Morrison started out blazing for the first two rounds, but by the end of the third, was gassed. Ray hurt him late in the fourth, and attacked him in the fifth, cornering Tommy and unloading a fuselage of blows. Referee Tony Perez did a horrible job in allowing Mercer to land uncontested punches on a defenseless Morrison, about four too many in my opinion. He eventually stepped in, and fortunately Tommy didn’t suffer any permanent damage.
His reputation was damaged though, and he went back home to Oklahoma to regroup. Mercer on the other hand enjoyed his victory, and agreed to fight come backing ex champ Larry Holmes in February. I for one was disappointed, but not shocked, and hoped Tommy could rebuild his career.
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