'Rocky V' boxer fought for seven years after HIV diagnosis

Morrison died in 2013. Photo: Reproduction

The late boxer Tommy Morrison, who rose to prominence 20 years ago for having forced himself into retirement after contracting the HIV virus, was actually infected with the disease seven years earlier, and yet he continued to fight. This is what the North American website “LawNewz” reveals.

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Morrison, who became known in pop culture for playing the character Tommy Gunn in the film “Rocky V”, retired from fighting in 1996 after being unable to obtain a medical license from the Nevada Athletic Commission to compete.

However, “LawNewz” had access to recordings and documents that show that the Nevada Commission knew about Morrison's illness since 1989. From this period until his retirement, the American had no less than 47 professional fights in the ring.

Furthermore, the recordings obtained by “LawNewz” showed that Morrison boasted about being able to hide his illness not only from boxing regulatory bodies, but also from the women with whom he had unprotected sex.

In his career, Morrison won world titles from the World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Council, with victories over the likes of George Foreman. He died in 2013, at the age of 44, from complications following an infection.