Former Heavyweight Champion Morrison starts comeback

Tommy Morrison, the former WBO heavyweight boxing champion, said that the positive HIV test that ended his career over ten years ago was inaccurate.

He is now beginning a comeback to take care of unfinished business.

The 38 year old Morrison will feature in a four round bout on Thursday at Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort.

Morrison said in a telephone interview, “I’m negative and I’ve always been negative and that should be the end of it.
“The rug was yanked out from under my feet by a misdiagnosis,” he said. “All I want to do is fight … It’s unfinished business.”

Steve Allred, the State Athletic Commissioner, said that he approved Morrison’s returen to the ring after consultation with the Association of Boxing Commissions’ medical review committee.

“I assure you that West Virginia is doing due diligence to make sure everyone who steps into the ring is healthy,” Allred said.

Morrison got his hands on the WBO title in 1993 after beating George Foreman on points but he lost it later that year. Morrison had a role in Rocky 5 and he also severed a couple of years in Arkansas prison on drug and weapons charges.

In February 1996 he said that he had HIV. In November of that year he fought Marcus Rode in Japan where he knocked him out in round one. However after this fight he said that the was trying to get rid of the fear of AIDS.

Morrison said on Tuesday that he has taken several tests while preparing for his comeback and all have been negative for the virus.
He has signed a contract with boxing promoter Top Rank for at least eight fights this year.
“I have no doubt I’ll be a better fighter than I ever was before,” he said. “I am more relaxed. Something that comes along with age causes you to simmer a bit.”
Morrison, who is 46-3-1, will face John Castle of Indianapolis in the four-round match, which is one of seven scheduled at Mountaineer.

What do you think of Morrison’s comeback to the boxing ring?

Can he win another world title?