MORRISON READY FOR EVERYTHING : BOXER CONFIDENT HIS FIGHT IS A GOOD ONE.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

No one is going to convince Tommy Morrison he's doing the wrong thing. Not even Magic Johnson.

Morrison will face last-minute replacement Marcus Rhode in a 10-round heavyweight bout on the George Foreman-Crawford Grimsley card Sunday in Japan (Saturday here), almost nine months after he tested positive for the AIDS virus.

Johnson, who also has the virus, publicly objected, suggesting the fight against AIDS will suffer a tremendous setback should Morrison's opponent - or anyone else at ringside - contract HIV.

``I'm a little disappointed with (Johson's comments),'' said Morrison, speaking at a news conference near Los Angeles International Airport a few hours before his flight to Japan.

``I wish he would've called me and asked me about the provisions we're making for the fight before stating his opinion. I still respect him, he's still my friend. He's misinformed, though.''

Morrison, 27, last fought in October of last year, when he was bloodied and knocked out by Lennox Lewis. In February, before he was scheduled to fight in Las Vegas, he tested positive and it appeared his career was over.

However, he recently announced the formation of the Knockout AIDS Foundation and his intention to fight again to kick it off. The foundation will receive his percentage of pay-per-view profits.

``I want to show people that just because you happen to be in an unfortunate situation, you don't have to turn out the lights,'' Morrison said.

``You can accomplish anything you want in life.''

If the proper precautions are taken, that is.

At the sight of Morrison's blood - whether it be from a cut, a nosebleed or anything else - the fight will be stopped and doctors will be called to the ring. If the flow of blood cannot be stopped, Morrison will forfeit.

Morrison and his handlers are convinced the risk is reasonable.

``Under these rules, I think it's safer than basketball,'' said Tony Holden, Morrison's promoter. ``I know I'll get beat up for saying that, but I believe it. What's to prevent you from grabbing an elbow in the teeth in basketball? In boxing, you have a mouth piece, you have gloves.''

Apparently, many heavyweights believe the risk is minimal.

Anthony Cooks had been scheduled to fight Morrison but was removed from the card after it was learned he was wanted by the law in Oklahoma. Police in Okmulgee, Okla., Tuesday issued a warrant for his arrest for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl Oct. 19.

On Wednesday - only three days before the fight - promoter Ron Weathers put Cooks on a plane for Oklahoma but didn't panic.

Fifty fighters, he said, had expressed interest in fighting Morrison. Apparently, the fact he has the AIDS virus wasn't much of a factor.

``They're not concerned about HIV,'' Weathers said. ``These guys put their lives on the line every day. They want to fight Tommy Morrison. They know the money they'll make if they can beat this guy.''

Morrison wouldn't say how many more times he plans to fight.

He said only that ``this isn't a long-term thing'' and that his focus is fattening the foundation's coffers. His goal is $2 million.

However, Foreman, who was outpointed by Morrison in 1993, has expressed interest in fighting him again in what would be a big-money fight, and Morrison likes the idea. Weathers said it could take place in February in Australia if the fighters agree.

Foreman, 47, has taken a distinct stand on the AIDS issue.

``One thing you have to understand in this world, not just in this country, a lot of kids infected by the HIV virus will be around for a long time,'' he said. ``I don't want them to read one day that I said they shouldn't do anything.

``In the end, we'll all be more grateful if we decide these people aren't halfway alive, aren't a quarterway alive but fully alive with the opportunity to pursue whatever they want to do.''

Those are the kind of comments that make Morrison happy these days. And happy he is, according to Holden.

Morrison, who lives near Tulsa, was recently married, has two children (who don't live with him) from previous relationships and he has a mission, something unique to a man once known only for his carousing and a good left hook.

``Tommy is happier than I've ever seen him,'' Holden said. ``Boxing's a violent sport. It can have a negative impact on you. Now, he's more content as a person. He's doing something really positive.''

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Photo

Photo: Tommy Morrison listens as his trainer, Tom Virgets, speaks at a news conference Wednesday advancing Morrison's fight Sunday in Tokyo.

Associated Press