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Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Report: Morrison Cleared to Fight on Thursday
According to various reports that are coming out, Tommy Morrison has been cleared to return to the ring after passing a slew of medical tests and will take on John Castle on Thursday night.
An official announcement regarding the matter is expected to take place later today…
The card that Morrison is fighting on will be televised on Versus. There hasn’t been any indication as of yet if they will move his bout up in order to be televised.
Update 4:33 PM: It’s looking like the fight is not going to be televised at this point. Top Rank has moved the press conference discussing Morrison’s return to tomorrow.
Update 6:00 PM: A little media roundup for you…
ESPN: Morrison medically cleared to fight Thursday
Deadspin: Eventually, The Running Man Will Become Reality
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Morrison set to return
Boxing Scene: Tommy Morrison May Finally Return on 2/22 Card
Eastside Boxing: Morrison Returns to the Ring Thursday!
Seconds Out: Morrison to fight on Top Rank card
Update 2/21 8:36 AM: The AP story that I came across when I woke up gives us a new perspective on things:
Morrison did a telephone interview with the AP last night and stated that he has always been HIV-negative…
“I’m negative and I’ve always been negative and that should be the end of it,” Morrison said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
“The rug was yanked out from under my feet by a misdiagnosis,” he said. “All I want to do is fight. ... It’s unfinished business.”
West Virginia State Athletic Commissioner Steve Allred has said that he has indeed approved Morrison’s ability to box tomorrow night.
Interesting thing to note: West Virginia does not have mandatory blood testing for boxers.
Also contrary to many reports which said that Top Rank would wait for a Morrison victory before they sign him, Morrison announced that he has already signed with the promotional company. Morrison said that he signed with them for at least eight fights this year…
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Saturday, February 17, 2007
Lampley Violates Restraining Order
Some more on the whole Jim Lampley front…
He was charged yesterday was violating his temporary restraining order against Candice Sanders. Although this story was reported by many outlets, not one actually said what he did to violate the order.
If he is convicted of this, he will face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Lampley has already stated that he will fight this charge in court as well
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Jermain Taylor Accused of Assault
Two women have filed lawsuits in the Pulaski County Circuit Court system accusing WBA and WBC Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor of physically touching them at a recent performance by comedian Katt Williams at Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The plaintiffs are asking for at least $75,000, as well as punitive damages and attorney’s fees…
Jermain Taylor has denied he has done anything wrong:
“I have been falsely accused of improper behavior,” Taylor said. “It’s a shame that people will go this far for financial gain and try to damage my name. I have always conducted myself with others in the most respectful way.”
However the attorney of the two women, Stephanie Chamberlin, believes otherwise…
“My feeling is every woman has a right to not have her body assaulted, no matter who it is,” Chamberlin said. “Neither one of these women knew of (Taylor’s) celebrity status. This isn’t about money. We are in the position where we feel like if he is going to be represented like a hometown hero, he needs to act like one.”
Chamberlain also stated that she tried to come to terms on a settlement with Taylor and his lawyers but that they denied the offer.
It was confirmed that Taylor was his wife for the duration of the performance. No word on whether or not Taylor will countersue at this time…
Tyson Checks Into Rehab
David Chesnoff, one of Mike Tyson’s lawyers, stated yesterday that their client has checked himself into a rehab program that will help him deal with various addictions while he awaits his upcoming trial…
“He needed to get involved in something that would help him with his addiction,” said David Chesnoff of Las Vegas. Chesnoff wouldn’t describe Tyson’s addictions, but police said the boxer told officers that he used cocaine frequently.
We semi-reported this last month but should have definitely made a post on it. No word on whether or not Lindsay Lohan is still at the same facility.
Tyson checked himself into a rehab facility directly after pleading not guilty. The pre-trial hearing has been set for February 26th. His lawyer stated that he may or may not be at the hearing, dependent on whether or not the rehab facility will allow him to attend.
This seems a little odd to me considering that I’ve read the facility Lohan was at allowed patients to check themselves in and out at any time. How about just coming out and saying that we aren’t going to see Mike until the trial?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Tyson Pleads Not Guilty
Mike Tyson pleaded not guilty earlier today to DUI and drug possession charges.
Tyson didn’t speak very much at the hearing, mostly standing still with his arms crossed while his attorney did the rest of the work. He also declined to speak with reporters as he was leaving the courthouse.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs.
David Chesnoff, one of Tyson’s lawyers has said that Tyson is seeking help for his drug problems and is going to do whatever it takes to stay out o fprison.
“Drug addiction is a victimless crime,” Chesnoff said. “We believe this is the kind of crime where you shouldn’t go to prison.”
Maricopa County attorney Andrew Thomas has already said that he is going to pursue jail time for Tyson. As we already reported before, Tyson could be sentenced up to 7 1/2 years in prison if he is convicted of all charges.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Tommy Gunn is HIV Free
Trust me, I can’t believe it either…
Ten years after first testing positive for HIV, former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison has now tested negative for HIV.
Arizona State Boxing Commissioner John Mantano oversaw a blood test at a Phoenix laboratory and announced the official results today that Morrison tested negative for the virus.
However Morrison will not be fighting this weekend as originally planned. Morrison injured his hand during a recent training session and will not be allowed to fight this weekend by doctors.
He’s not out of the woods yet either when it comes to getting his license - Mantano will watch Morrison spar in the gym once his hand injury heals and will determine whether or not he is fit enough to continue his boxing career.
Update 2:53 AM: Apparently this whole may be bogus afterall - It’s a thought that crossed my mind but I didn’t actually take it seriously until a few minutes ago.
I did a little research and I found that the Arizona State Boxing Commission hasn’t always been the most truthful of organizations so there could be the possibility that they are just trying to make a buck and don’t have a care in the world for the health of Morrison’s opponent. Also, I found that the virus can sometimes go dormant and that a test may come back negative for a couple of months while the person may still have the virus.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Tyson Indicted on Drug Charges
Mike Tyson was indicted Friday afternoon on charges of drug possession, drug paraphernalia possession, and DUI.
If Tyson is convicted of all charges, he could face a maximum of 7 1/2 years in prison.
For anyone that hasn’t heard about this already - Tyson was pulled over by police on December 29th and they found multiple bags of cocaine on Tyson and in his car. They also determined that Tyson was on the drugs while he was driving as well.
Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas is planning on seeking the most severe punishment allowed for Tyson. Showing no mercy here people…
“Tyson endangered the public and himself and must be held accountable for his actions,” Thomas said. “It’s my hope that a conviction and prison time will help him to break his addictions and learn to comply with the law.”
Friday, January 12, 2007
Jim Lampley Update
A little update for you…
The scheduled arraignment for Lampley has been postponed in order to give prosecutors more time to investigate the matters according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s spokesman, Paul Levikow.
As of right now, nothing has been rescheduled…
There is a hearing scheduled however for next Thursday in which a ruling will come down concerning the extension of a temporary restraining order between Lampley and his accuser.
The current order prohibits Lampley from coming within 100 yards of Candice Sanders and it also includes her home, place of work, and her car. Lampley also cannot call her on the phone, e-mail her, basically can’t contact her at all.
Lampley has also been ordered to return a 2007 BMW 750 that Sanders says she owns…
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Morrison Awaits Fate
The Arizona Republic is reporting that Tommy Morrison is waiting for the results of a blood test he recently took for the Arizona State Boxing Commission in an attempt to get a license to fight.
Even if the results are negative for HIV, ASBC boss John Montano still wants to watch Morrison workout in a gym to prove he is still physically fit to compete. This will be followed by multiple commission meetings featuring boxing experts, doctors, and various other officials.
Morrison’s possible return could actually happen on January 19th as promoter Peter McKinn would like to compete on a Top Rank and Bob Arum card to start things off.
If the blood work produces a negative result, commission head John Montano wants to watch Morrison sparring in the gym.
Local Phoenix promoter Peter McKinn is shooting to have Morrison return in a four-round bout on a Jan. 19 Top Rank-promoted card and two opponents are apparently ready to fight him on that date if necessary.
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Thursday, January 04, 2007
Jim Lampley Arrested
Jim Lampley has been arrested for domestic abuse. Not the fun story I wanted for our first TMZ link.
Police tell TMZ that Lampley, probably best known for his work on HBO boxing, posted his $35,000 bail and is awaiting his release from the Vista Jail in San Diego. He faces one felony count of domestic abuse / corporal injury, as well as two misdemeanor counts of violating a restraining order and preventing a witness from testifying.