Tommy Morrison Says He Hasn’t Lost Anything, That His Skill Level Is The Same As It Was In His Heyday

29.01.09 – by James Slater – Former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, who returns to action this Saturday night in Laramie, Wyoming, when he takes on Corey Williams, was a phone-in guest on today’s Steve Bunce Boxing Hour. Now aged 40, Morrison has been through a long road over the last decade or so. Ever since he was diagnosed – or misdiagnosed in the fighter’s opinion – with having HIV in 1996, Tommy has been the subject of controversy – especially since he has fought twice since the shocking news broke (in Feb. of 2007 and Feb. of 2008, winning both bouts by KO)..

A few minutes ago, an intelligent-sounding Morrison answered questions about his HIV test in Las Vegas in 1996, his aims for the future, and what he thinks he has left at the age of 40.

Tommy was asked to recall the fateful day he was diagnosed with HIV.

“I took the HIV test, then had something to eat and went for a walk on The Strip, as I always did after a meal,” Morrison began. “I came back to my room and there was a light flashing on my phone, which meant I had a message. I called my trainer and he said to come up to his room. I knew instantly that something was wrong when I saw his face. He said he had no easy way to tell me, but that I’d flunked my pre-fight physical. He told me they said I had HIV.

“They then decided to get me out of the hotel in secret, and it was weird. The whole thing was pretty bizarre the way it happened.”

As fans know, Morrison contends the test was inaccurate, and that he does not now have HIV.

Morrison was asked how much the infamous test cost him, money-wise.

“The test cost me $40 million, I can say that right off the bat,” Tommy said. “But I’m not really worried about that. I’m a good man and it’ll come back to me some time. It makes all the difference in the world when you have God’s spirit inside you. You know, things happen for a reason. I know I don’t have HIV, I don’t think I ever had HIV. I had hepatitis, and I got rid of it after taking a long series of injections. Since then, I’ve always been negative for HIV (in further tests).”

Morrison was then asked what he thinks he has left, and what he can still achieve at the age of 40.

“We’re gonna find out,” Morrison answered. “It’s taken me three years to have three fights. I’ve knocked them all out, and I plan on knocking this guy [Corey Williams] out. When I’ve had five or six fights back-to-back, then I’ll take it from there.

“I haven’t lost anything. I think my speed has improved. My skill level is just like it used to be. I keep myself in shape, and I knew something would happen [with regards to getting his career back on track] eventually.”

Still a huge name, the question is can Morrison ever become more than just a curiosity? Tommy maintains he will again be capable of mixing it with the elite of the division in the future, but will this really be how things transpire?

Tommy finished by speaking about his upcoming fight, which can be seen live on the internet.

“The fight will be shown on www.gofightlive.tv,” Tommy explained. “For $6.00 you can see the whole card – rather than paying $49.99 for a card, where the fights are ****. You’ll see a helluva fight [on Saturday.]”

Doubtless, for the small amount of cash needed to tune in, Morrison Vs. Williams will get itself a big audience. Where Tommy goes from there will be quite interesting.