Rocky V star Tommy Morrison dies at 44

Tommy 'The Duke' Morrison, the boxing champion who played Tommy Gunn in 'Rocky V', has died at the age of 44.

The actor and athlete was suffering from Miller Fisher Syndrome, a rare disorder affecting the nervous system, and died from respiratory and organ failure.

He is best known for his role in the 1990 Sly Stallone boxing sequel, in which he takes the raw young fighter under his wing.

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Stallone had seen one of Morrison's bouts the previous year, and impressed with his performance in the ring, decided to cast him in the fifth 'Rocky' film.

He also featured in an uncredited role in John Carpenter's film 'They Live'.

He gained notoriety during his boxing career, winning 49 out of 52 professional fights, 44 by knock-out.

He beat George Foreman to win the WBO heavyweight title in 1993.

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But his career was also controversial.

He tested positive for HIV in 1996, was suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission, and told that he would never fight again.

But he later claimed that his diagnosis was a false positive, and consequent tests were found to be negative, though those were also contested.

He began fighting again in 2007, but still dogged by his earlier diagnosis.

ESPN reported last month that he was critically ill, and had been bedridden for over a year.

He died in hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.