'Rocky V Star' Tommy Morrison Dead at 44

Tommy Morrison has passed away at the age of 44. The former heavyweight champion died on Sunday, Sept. 1 in a Nebraska hospital, according to TMZ.

Tony Holden, Morrison's promoter, confirmed the news that he had been in and out of the hospital for several months. He died with his wife by his side.

"The Duke" was Morrison's nickname when he won his first heavyweight fight in 1989. He knocked out Alan Jamison in the first round. In 1990's Rocky V, he played the role of Tommy 'Machine' Gunn together with Sylvester Stallone. In 1993, he defeated George Foremen for the heavyweight championship.

In 1996, the Rocky V star was later tested positive for HIV but declared that the test was false. He also faced some challenging times after his boxing career. In 1998, he was even sentenced to six months in prison after a DUI conviction. In 1999, he was again arrested for drug and weapon possession. In 2000, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison but served only one year.

"I think about boxing more now. I'm better," Morrison told The Kansas City Star in 2011. "They're not used to that. A white guy that has hand speed, power, charisma, and can talk in complete sentences? Sounds like a gold mine to me."