Moorer’s career comes full circle with second hall of fame induction

On Saturday night, in the city of glitz, glamour and gambling, Michael Moorer saw his boxing career come full circle.

Moorer, the Monessen native who shocked the world when he defeated Evander Holyfield and took his heavyweight boxing title in 1994, was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame during an extravagant affair at Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The organization’s Hall of Famers include Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Holyfield, Thomas Hearns, Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins and many others.

It marked the second heralded induction for Moorer, who earlier joined the International Boxing HOF.

Moorer, 56, was a trailblazer during his long career as he not only won the heavyweight title three times, but also had the distinction of being the first southpaw fighter to ever win boxing’s biggest prize.

Moorer ended his fighting career in 2008 with a record of 52-4-1 with 40 KOs.

When it came time for Moorer’s induction speech in Vegas, Double M didn’t fail to impress. He spoke passionately about his career, the sport and some of his greatest accomplishments.

One accomplishment he would love to add to the list is increasing the size of boxing gloves used today.

“In boxing, there really is no health insurance once you are retired,” Moorer said. “When you are a fighter, there is insurance for you, but once you are out of the sport it’s gone.

“And for most fighters the more serious health problems don’t pop up until after they are retired. And that’s when they need the insurance.”

Moorer talked about his latest battle — his hopes of getting the size of the gloves increased.

“Boxers today are so much bigger and stronger and because of that I think the size of the gloves should be increased from 8 to 10 ounces, 10 to 12 ounces and 12 to 14 ounces. It’s a long-term safety issue for fighters, not only during their career, but down the road. Since there is no health insurance after retirement, I think this will definitely help the fighters.”

I’m not surprised with how well-spoken and thoughtful Moorer’s sentiments are on the subject.

I’ve been proud to have known Moorer for more than 45 years, having coached him in youth basketball and then covered a lot of his amateur and professional fights up close and personal.

I often found him to be a misunderstood individual during his career.

Some thought he was arrogant, disinterested and even mean-spirited. But the Moorer I know is very thought provoking, intelligent, opinionated, a great speaker and has a huge heart.

And I’ve seen a lot of those qualities from him over the years.

While he has had dozens of surgeries as a result of his long career, his health hasn’t suffered as much as it has with other well-known fighters.

“I feel really good,” he said Sunday from Las Vegas. “Other than I can’t smell or taste, I’m physically fine. I feel wonderful. People ask me if it bothers me that I can’t smell or taste and I say, ‘I’m fine.’ Everything else works well.”

He says he has a lot of “good things” on the horizon.

“I have a lot of appearances, apparel and merchandise opportunities coming up. I’m really excited,” he said.

I am so happy that he not only looks great for his age, but he still has all his faculties. He is still engaging. He still speaks his mind very coherently. He is still very focused on life. And he still cares about people.

In my eyes, that’s just as good as being in the Hall of Fame. After participating in such a brutal sport in its biggest division, seeing how happy Moorer is these days is very satisfying to me.

As I said earlier, a lot of people saw him as arrogant and aloof during his career.

I knew better then. Seeing how much he enjoys the celebrity status of being a Hall of Famer, talking about his career and his future doesn’t surprise me at all.

I laughed back when before a title fight at a press conference he pounded on the podium that was set up to fall apart. He knew how to play the role of villain back then.

Today he knows how to be a Hall of Famer. Again.

And he is healthy enough to enjoy it.

Anyone with any thoughts, opposing views or comments on this column can reach Jeff Oliver by emailing justjto@ verizon.net