International Boxing Hall Of Fame

Born Michael Lee Moorer in Brooklyn, NY on November 12, 1967.

Moorer grew up in Monessen, PA and began boxing when his grandfather took him to the local gym. He relocated to Detroit and trained under Emanuel Steward at the famous Kronk Gym before turning professional in 1988. He won his first 26 contests via knockout and, in just his 12th bout, captured the inaugural WBO light heavyweight title with a 5th round TKO of Ramzi Hassan. He successfully defended the crown nine times – including stoppages over Frankie Swindell (TKO 6) and Leslie Stewart (TKO 8) - before vacating the belt and moving to heavyweight in 1991. Wins over Levi Billups (TKO 3), Mike White (W 10) and Everett Martin (W 10) preceded a WBO heavyweight title winning fight against Bert Cooper (TKO 5) in 1992 to become the first southpaw heavyweight champion in history. Two years later he captured the WBA / IBF titles with a 12-round win over Evander Holyfield. He lost the titles to George Foreman (KO by 10) but rebounded to regain the IBF strap from Axel Schultz (W 12) in 1996. After two defenses - Frans Botha (TKO 12) and Vaughn Bean (W 12) - he lost a rematch with Holyfield (TKO by 8). Inactive for three years following the loss, he returned to the ring in 2000 and fought until 2008.

“Double M” retired with a pro ledger of 52-4-1 (40 KOs).