Kenzie Morrison, son of former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison, shifted from boxing to bare-knuckle fighting with BKFC due to frustrations with the current state of boxing, including influencer matches overshadowing traditional fights, as he seeks to create his own legacy while honoring his family’s name.
Kenzie Morrison always felt a sense of pride following in his father’s footsteps, stepping into the world of professional boxing. Yet, the sport he cherished left him feeling disillusioned.
As the son of former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison, who gained fame alongside Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky V,” Kenzie naturally attracted more attention than most. Despite a solid 22-1-2 record, the delays and stagnation in boxing pushed him to explore alternatives.
Now, Morrison has signed with BKFC, eager to make an impact in bare-knuckle fighting. “It all just really started with the state of boxing being where it is,” he shared with MMA Fighting. Talented fighters, he felt, were being sidelined.
The rise of influencer boxing didn’t sit well with him. “It’s more about the most followed fight the most followed for the most money,” he lamented. Yet, he saw BKFC as a new opportunity, a fresh start.
While initially resistant, Morrison tried to embrace influencer boxing after witnessing Jake Paul’s knockout on a high-profile card. But meaningful fights in the heavyweight division remained elusive.
“I was waiting, and I saw Jake Paul come into the sport,” Morrison recalled. He even challenged Paul, more as a jest than anything serious, hoping to preserve the sport’s integrity.
His ultimate dream was to become a traditional boxing champion, like his father and brother. But now, he’s ready to blaze his own trail with BKFC 76 on the horizon.
Proud of his family legacy, Morrison is eager to claim a championship in bare-knuckle fighting. “I was lucky enough for [my dad] to be so successful that he left me a legacy,” he reflected.
Fighting isn’t just a passion for him; it’s a way to support his family. “I want to make my mom and my dad proud,” he said, driven by this purpose every day.
Aware of the dangers in bare-knuckle fighting, Morrison has embraced the challenge. He’s prepared to unleash his skills on Friday night.
“It only takes one,” he noted about the heavyweight division. Despite nerves, his determination remains unshaken. He’s ready to face whatever comes his way.