Wednesday, February 21, 2007
CHESTER, W.Va. (AP) -- Former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison is staging a comeback, saying Tuesday that a positive HIV test that ended his career more than a decade ago was inaccurate.
"I'm negative and I've always been negative and that should be the end of it," Morrison said.
The 38-year-old will face John Castle in a four-round fight Thursday at Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort.
State Athletic Commissioner Steve Allred said Tuesday he approved Morrison's participation in the fight after reviewing medical records and consulting with the Association of Boxing Commissions' medical review committee. Allred said confidentiality laws prevent him from discussing Morrison's medical history or the records he reviewed.
West Virginia does not have mandatory blood testing for boxers.
Morrison (46-3) and Castle (4-2) square off in one of seven bouts scheduled at Mountaineer.
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