CHESTER, W.Va. — Former WBO heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison is staging a comeback, saying that a positive HIV test that ended his career more than a decade ago was inaccurate.

The 38-year-old will face John Castle in a four-round fight Thursday at Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort.

State Athletic Commissioner Steve Allred said Tuesday he approved Morrison's participation in the fight after reviewing medical records and consulting with the Association of Boxing Commissions' medical review committee. Allred said confidentiality laws prevent him from discussing Morrison's medical history or the records he reviewed.

Morrison said that he has taken several HIV tests while preparing for his comeback and all have been negative.

He has signed a contract with Top Rank promoters for at least eight fights this year.

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $12.4 million, one-year contract Tuesday, avoiding salary arbitration by striking the deal just before the scheduled hearing.He would also earn bonuses for finishing among the top five in Cy Young Award voting, being named MVP of the World Series and League Championship Series, making the All-Star game, winning the Gold Glove and the Silver Slugger award.

Shannon Onderko scored 17 points to lead the Butler County Community College women's basketball team to a 66-38 victory over Penn-State New Kensington Tuesday night.Slippery Rock High graduate Jessica Fry and Butler graduate Michelle Ritchey added 10 points each for the Pioneers (18-5).Freeport graduate Laney Pastoria led PSU-New Kensington with 19 points.BC3 returns to action Sunday, playing the winner of Saturday's Anne Arundel-Caldwell Tech game for the right to advance to the national tournament.

The Karns City girls basketball team will open the District 9 Class AA playoffs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Brookville at Clarion University.Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students.

SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University interim men's basketball coach Jamal Palmer has received a one-year contract extension.The Rock had a 2-25 record last season under John Marhefka. SRUis 5-20 so far this season with five losses coming by three points or fewer. Two other defeats came in overtime."We feel coach Palmer has moved the men's basketball program in a positive direction this season and we anticipate continued improvement into next season,"SRU athletic director Paul Lueken said.

Will Nesbitt, 12, of Center Township recently won the boys 14-and-under singles division at the Beaver Valley February Open tennis tournament.Nesbitt lost only two games in the entire competition, defeating Nicholas Mortland 6-0, 6-0, Dante Rebelo 6-0, 6-0 and Shane Heim 6-0, 6-2.