Michael Lee Moorer (born November 12, 1967) is a boxer who has been a world champion in the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions. Moorer was born in Brooklyn, NY but left at a young age and grew up in the small western Pennsylvania town of Monessen. Even though he considers himself a native of Monessen, for most of his career, he trained under the tutelage of trainer Emanuel Steward in Detroit. As a member of Sterward's Kronk Gym, he teamed up with such boxers as Thomas Hearns and Gerald McClellan.
     He has held both Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight belts in the WBO, WBA and IBF boxing affiliations. His first title came in 1988 and his greatest achievement was capturing both the WBA and IBF Heavyweight Belts in 1994 with a victory over defending champion Evander Holyfield.
His professional ring record stands at 50 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with 39 wins by way of knockout. Left-handed boxer Michael Moorer became only the second man in history to go directly from holding a World Light Heavyweight Title to holding a Heavyweight Title when he defeated Bert Cooper in 1991.
     He became first left-hander to win the heavyweight title when he scored a majority decision over Evander Holyfield on April 22, 1994. He lost the title to George Foreman in a battle-to-the-finish match up on a 10th round KO November 5, 1994, but won the IBF World Heavyweight Belt in 1996 and defended it twice before losing it to Holyfield on November 8, 1997.
     Michael Moorer retired from boxing in April 2008 and is pursuing his passion for helping athletes through training promising boxers for the ring and using his training as licensed security specialist with The Michael Moorer Group, an elite security consulting practice specializing in security for pro athletes, their teams where he covers what it takes to succeed in life and business.



MLM - Do you live here now?
MM – Yes, in Fort Lauderdale with my 3 kids.

MLM – Your first defeat was to George Foreman, were you surprised?
MM – No, when I started boxing I always knew there was a winner and a loser, unfortunately that night I was the loser. I did everything right in the gym but he caught me with a good right hand. I was lying on the ground and my mind was saying get up, but my body wasn’t having it.

MLM – Was it a lucky punch?
MM – I think it was a lucky punch; it was a perfect right hand. I got lax and being the professional that he was he saw the opening and took advantage of it.

MLM – Who was your toughest opponent?
MM – You know everyone asks me that question, all fights are tough. But I’m always prepared; mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

MLM – What about David Tua? Didn’t he knock you out in 30 seconds? If he wasn’t your toughest opponent wasn’t it at least your worst fight?
MM – I don’t know if it was my worst fight. I think David Tua caught me off guard, he just came in and exploded, I never even got into a rhythm. That was probably my fault but then again he was on top of his game. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed about nothing I’ve done.

MLM – Who was you easiest opponent?
MM – I wouldn’t say any of them were easy; you have to have some heart when you step in to the ring. If I’m prepared the right way I make it an easy fight.

MLM – You knocked out Rodolfo Lobo in 64 seconds.
MM – I was prepared.

MLM – What was your most memorable fight?
MM – My second championship when I fought Evander Holyfield. I was 26 years old fighting a legend. I was fighting in front of twenty six thousand people and it was special for me because my son was able to see that fight and that meant a lot to me.

MLM – Were all the decisions fair?
MM – In the four fights that I lost one was the second time I fought Holyfield. I was in my corner listening to my trainer when the doctor was taking to me. Because he didn’t feel I listening to him he stopped it. That was questionable.

MLM – Do you miss getting in the ring?
MM – No.

MLM – Is Don King good for boxing?
MM – To be honest I don’t know him, but he does put on good fights so I’d have to say yes.

MLM – Was Mike Tyson good for boxing?
MM – Regardless of what people may say Mike was good for the sport of boxing. I was, and am still a fan of Mike. When Mike had a fight he would bring everybody out from all over the world because he was knocking everybody out, then when things got theatrical they wanted to see what he’d do next. It was sort of a family reunion every time Mike fought, everybody would get together.

MLM – It’s listed that you were Tiger Woods bodyguard, is that true?
MM – No. I was part of a bodyguard detail, a four man team, at a commercial shoot. I was not his personal bodyguard.

MLM – Are you an MMA fan?
MM – Big time!

MLM – Have you been following Kimbo Slice?
MM - Yes, Kevin Ferguson.

MLM – Why is MMA so much more popular right now than boxing and why do more people know who Kimbo Slice is than the WBO champion?
MM – Kimbo’s been on you tube and is known for his back yard fights.

MLM – Exactly, shouldn’t the boxing champions of the world be more popular than a guy who has had two MMA fights and a you tube video?
MM – People love MMA because of the grappling, wrestling, slams, chokes, boxing has so many rules that you have to oblige by.

MLM – What does boxing need to do to get back to its former glory?
MM – Combine all the belts, have one unified title, and put Teddy Atlas in charge.

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