Arkansas Department of Health investigating allegation of HIV-positive boxer
“All fighters provided test results that indicated all tested negative for HIV. The matter is under further investigation at this time.”
Boxing and mixed martial arts are regulated in North America by State, Tribal, Provincial, and Municipal government athletic commissions. Among the most fundamental commission responsibilities is ensuring that fighters are not competing with blood-borne communicable diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.
Michael Mazzulli, President of the Association of Boxing Commissions, recently reached out to the Governor of Arkansas, alleging that the Arkansas Athletic Commission knowingly allowed an HIV-positive boxer to engage in a bout on or about November 11, 2017. Mazzulli understands that the boxer in question had been denied a license in the State of Florida due to a positive HIV test, with the license denial being noted on the suspension list kept under the auspices of the ABC pursuant to Federal Law.
Mazzulli further alleges that both he and the Florida Commission notified Arkansas through the managing agency, the Department of Health, of the HIV positive status of a boxer but he was allowed to fight anyway. This appears to be a direct violation of Federal Law and an egregious disregard for health and safety standards.
The card, promoted by Richard Wright, was held at the Boys & Girls Club in Camden, Arkansas. The boxer shall remain nameless to protect his right to privacy.
Now the Arkansas Department of Health tells ESPN Senior Writer Dan Rafael that the matter is under investigation.
“The Department asked for and acquired blood work prior to the fight for all fighters on the card that evening,” wrote Robert Brech, general counsel for the Arkansas Department of Health in an email. “All fighters provided test results that indicated all tested negative for HIV. The matter is under further investigation at this time.”
Given the seriousness of the issue, the matter is far from over.