One of the biggest new stories of 1996 was the revelation that professional boxer and heavyweight champion of the world, Tommy Morrison, was diagnosed as HIV positive. Morrison was 48-3 at the time and considered one of the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighters. The diagnosis shocked the boxing world and obviously forced Morrison to retire. He would pass away in 2013 due to complications from AIDS.
Morrison tried to return to boxing in 2006, claiming that he was now testing negatively for HIV. Despite the results of certain blood tests agreeing to Morrison’s claims, Morrison could not acquire a professional boxing license.