SP Promotion of Montreal is set for a February 25th, 2011 boxing card at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre in Montreal. The only problem is that their main event is in jeopardy as former WBO and IBC Heavyweight Champion Tommy “The Duke” Morrison (48-3-1, 42 KOs) has not yet been cleared by Quebec’s Boxing Commission, La Regie des Alcools des Courses et des Jeux (RACJ), to participate. Morrison is ready and willing to face Canadian Erik Barrak (3-0, 2 KOs) on a card that also features “Merciless “Ray Mercer (36-7-1, 26 KOs) and Joe Gatti (30-8, 22 KOs). Morrison, who was banished from boxing in 1996 due to an announced HIV positive test result by the Nevada Boxing Commission, has been attempting to stage a courageous comeback in recent years after repeatedly testing negative for HIV and fighting sporadically beginning again in 2007. The pinnacle moment of Morrison’s glorious career was outpointing legend George Foreman for the Heavyweight title in 1993, and although that was 18 years ago, his supporters still believe he can be a serious contender. The only roadblock though is trying to get the boxing regulators to agree.
Morrison, now 42 years old, has fought five times since his initial HIV exile in 1996, including three boxing matches, a modified MMA event, and a Muay Thai bout. He was victorious in all contests. He continues to train and hopes for the opportunity to return to the sport he loves, but unfortunately he must battle more than just hungry opponents, he must also fight the media and various misconceptions.
The common belief by the boxing world is that Morrison refuses to prove he is HIV negative. That is actually not true as he is able to provide documentation of recent negative tests. That is an odd contrast to the ability of the Nevada Boxing Commission to produce his publicized positive test results from 1996. It appears as thought that paperwork has been “lost”.
Morrison states that he wants to take a test that will 100% show he does not carry a contagious virus. The problem though has been finding such a test. Morrison has reached out to HIV experts and those in the medical field relentlessly in recent days and is having a hard time finding anyone who can actually provide him with a test that will test for the virus itself. Standard testing is done by way of looking for the antibodies to HIV. According to Morrison, “antibodies are particles of "proteins" that are not contagious in the ring.” Further, he states ” tests on the market do not detect the HIV VIRUS “ and “one can make an antibody test show positive because of over 80 different reasons .”
Then shouldn’t there be a way to test directly for it?
Morrison has even publicly offered his championship belt as a reward for anyone who can help locate a test that 100% detects the absence or presence of the virus in the human body. Fans and supporters have scoured the internet searching on his behalf and are still trying to find the truth. Morrison has been horrifically burned before by a false positive and now wants to prove once and for all what his true status is.
So while the RACJ and Morrison try to work things out, there are questions on the status of the SP Promotion event that is only a little over a week away. Fans have already begun to purchase tickets with the hope of seeing “The Duke” step into the ring in Montreal. In a time when he should be concentrating on training, Morrison is sidetracked by media squabbles and legal battles. He is determined though, and continues his daily battle for redemption.
Fifteen years after his Nevada test results, Tommy is still standing, hitting the gym, and living in good health. The only problem is that he must now convince people to forget what they think they know about HIV. Fighting the status quo is not an easy task, but if anyone can win that battle it is certainly Tommy Morrison.
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