BOXING: Morrisson coming back

Tommy Morrisson, the former WBO heavyweight champion, is staging a comeback, saying yesterday that a positive HIV test that ended his career more than a decade ago was inaccurate.

“I’m negative and I’ve always been negative, and that should be the end of it,” said the 38-year-old Morrison, who will face John Castle in a four-round fight tomorrow at Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort in Chester, W. Va.

BASEBALL: Zambrano to get $12.4M

Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs agreed to a $12.4 million, one-year contract yesterday, avoiding salary arbitration by striking the deal just before the scheduled hearing.

* Former Reds pitcher and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall, 78, was released from a hospital yesterday and began treatment for a recurrence of cancer.

FOOTBALL: Bears, ‘Boys name coordinators

The Bears promoted Bob Babich from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, one day announcing they would not retain Ron Rivera.

* Jason Garrett was finally given the title of offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, nearly a month after being hired. New coach Wade Phillips also elevated Tony Sparano to assistant head coach with a contract extension through 2009.

BLOTTER: Gonzaga center charged

Suspended Gonzaga center Josh Heytvelt was charged yesterday with felony possession of a controlled substance, stemming from a recent arrest when police said they found hallucinogenic mushrooms in his car.

* Illinois basketball player Jamar Smith – charged yesterday with drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident – apparently believed the teammate in the passenger seat of his car had died, authorities in Champaign, Ill., said.

Smith was driving a 1996 Lexus last Monday night when it struck a tree in heavy snow. He then drove the car a little more than a mile to the apartment complex where he lived. Bystanders called 911 after seeing the badly damaged car in the parking lot, with Smith’s passenger, teammate Brian Carlwell, still inside.