This column appeared in Arizona State University’s State Press on September 20, 1996.

By Ed Odeven

In the movie Rocky V, a young, flamboyant fighter named Tommy Gunn took the heavyweight division by storm. He was cocky. He was muscular. He was popular. He intimidated Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone) in the ring. It seemed that he owned the world.

In real life — not reel life — Tommy Gunn is the 27-year-old Jay, Okla. native named Tommy Morrison.

He too is a boxer. Unfortunately for Morrison, the similarities between the two end there.

Morrison tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS in February. He was scheduled to fight Arthur Weathers in Las Vegas when the disheartening news was revealed and the Nevada Athletic Commission suspended his boxing license.

He announced that he was going to retire because he had HIV and that he believed the virus could be transmitted through cuts.

Thursday Morrison officially announced he was returning to the ring.

AIDS is transmitted via exchanges of bodily fluids, including blood. If Morrison plans to return to boxing is he or his opponent safe?

No.

Morrison’s decision defies logic. It also defies common sense.

Boxing is a sport of intense violence. Bloody cuts are as common as bibles at a Baptist church on a Sunday morning.

Does Morrison really think he will be safe?

“I don’t care what the doctors say,” said Morrison in a Feb. 14 interview with the Kansas City Star. “I think it can be passed. I don’t think the doctors really know. I’m glad I found out. I could have fought for another three or four years.”

And prove what?

Morrison was 45-3-1 during a mediocre career that spanned eight years. His most noted achievement was knocking out Ray Mercer in the fifth round in 1991. He also defeated George Foreman in a 12-round unanimous decision in 1993.

But his career took a downward slope the last few years. He was KO’d by lightly-regarded Michael Bentt in 1993 and Lennox Lewis in 1995.

Morrison has nothing to prove. It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t see that. By reviving his boxing career, he is risking his own life and the life of anyone dumb enough to fight him.

His decision to unretire has not been a positive one.

Angelo Dundee, a longtime trainer for heavyweights (including the legendary Muhammad Ali) was not shocked by Morrison’s decision.

“I’m not surprised at all knowing the type of kid that Tommy Morrison is. He’s a go-for-broke kind of guy,” Dundee said.

John Russell, Buster Douglas’ ex-trainer, strongly opposes Morrison’s comeback.

“I think all states should ban him,” Russell told USA Today. “I’m not trying to take his living away, but how can they let him fight? And who in their right mind would fight him?”

That brainless wonder is Ross Purrity.

Purrity fought Morrison in 1994 in a 10-round draw and has been mentioned as a possible opponent.

“I haven’t heard a thing,” Purrity told the Kansas City Star. “If it’s true, I would fight him. I’ll fight anybody, anywhere. From what I understand, no one has caught AIDS through a cut…”

Does Purrity want to be the first?

Purrity believes his blood will stay pure when he goes mano a mano versus Morrison.

Morrison has devoted his retirement to establishing the Knockout AIDS foundation, a charity organization that will educate children about the disease. He plans to donate money from his fights to help children with AIDS.

Morrison’s heart is in the right place, but his brain isn’t. While he may be helping others learn about AIDS, he is forgetting that he could infect somebody else.

Morrison should be given the nickname “Lethal Weapon,” because that is exactly what he will be in the ring.