Born in London, England, to Jamaican parents and raised in Queens, New
York,Michael attended Northhampton College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
after retiring from boxing. Studied journalism and acting. As
Northampton's first Artist-in-Residence played the title role of
'Othello' in the colleges 2003 production.
Michael was the subject of
Anna Deavere Smith's "Skipping Rope,"
which was part of her evening of 'journalistic portraits and sketches'
at New York City's Carnegie Hall.
After retiring from boxing in 1994, enrolled in Northampton College
where he contributed articles on various subjects to the campus
newspaper. Among the topics covered: the murder of Tupac Shakur and
Evander Holyfield's resounding knockout victory of "Iron"
Mike Tyson in 1996. His work eventually appeared in the New York Daily News and The HBO Boxing
website.
His essay "Anatomy of a Knockout" featured in "Bert Sugar's FightGame"
(see
Bert Sugar) led to an
opportunity to audition for and win the coveted role Charles "Sonny"
Liston (
Sonny Liston) in
Michael Mann's
Ali (2001).
Was the captain of the US National Boxing team that competed in the
inaugural Moscow Goodwill Games and the 1987 Pan Am Games.
In addition to his role of
Sonny Liston in
Ali (2001), also served as the chief sparring
partner and assistant trainer for
Will Smith in Smith's Academy Award
nominated portrayal of
Muhammad Ali.
Has also instructed
Terence Blanchard, Damon Dash, Heavy D, Paul Schulze,
Harold Perrineau, and
Anna Deavere Smith among others on
the virtues and benefits of being "fighting fit."
Studied acting with the late Tina Satin.
Four months after scoring a shocking and decisive first round knockout
over the heavily favored
Tommy Morrison,
was himself KO'd in seven rounds in his last fight in March of 1994,
the result of which left him in a coma for 96 hours.
On the match that resulted in his being placed in a coma: "I nearly
paid the ultimate price for a moment that allowed me to briefly realize
my full potential as a boxer. If getting dismantled to the point of
near death in my last fight was the price I had to pay for a victory
over Tommy Morrison, I'll never question the price of success."
Bobcat Moretti(2022)as Israel's Cornerman
Blue: The American Dream(2020)as Mr. Parker
Blackhat(2015)as Cab Driver
The Championship Rounds(2013)as Stan
Million Dollar Baby(2004)
Bayou Caviar(2018)
Meet Me at a Funeral(2015)
I Am Joe Frazier(2025)as Self
Muhammad Ali(2021)as Self - Boxer, Self
Mike Tyson: The Knockout(2021)as Self - Fmr. World Heavyweight Champion
Verbal Shenanigans(2014)as Self - Guest
Losers(2019)as Self
30 for 30(2009)as Self - Boxer
Harry Carpenter Presents Boxing Bedlam(1998)as Self