Trevor Berbick
Trevor Berbick | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Trevor Berbick |
Rated at | Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Reach | 78 in (198 cm) |
Nationality |
Jamaican Canadian |
Born |
Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica | August 1, 1954
Died |
October 28, 2006 52) Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica | (aged
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 61 |
Wins | 49 |
Wins by KO | 33 |
Losses | 11 |
Draws | 1 |
No contests | 0 |
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Men's Boxing | ||
Competitor for Jamaica | ||
Pan American Games | ||
Bronze | 1975 Mexico City | Heavyweight |
Trevor Berbick (August 1, 1954 – October 28, 2006) was a Jamaican-Canadian heavyweight boxer who fought as a professional from 1976 until 2000. Berbick briefly held the WBC heavyweight championship in 1986 (after beating Pinklon Thomas via 12-round unanimous decision), before losing it in his first defence to 20-year old Mike Tyson, via 2nd-round TKO. He was the last man to fight Muhammad Ali, winning a 10-round unanimous decision in Nassau, Bahamas on December 11, 1981.
Biography
Early life
He was born on August 1, 1954 in Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica.
Amateur career
At 21, Berbick represented his native Jamaica in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada as a heavyweight boxer, despite having had only 11 prior amateur bouts. His lack of experience was plainly evident as he lost to the eventual silver medalist, Mircea Şimon of Romania. However, he still displayed a lot of promise as a young heavyweight boxer. He lost a decision to future heavyweight champion Michael Dokes in the Pan-Am semifinals.
Professional career
Berbick left Jamaica after the Olympics. He opted to stay in Canada and fight professionally out of Montreal and Halifax. He won his first 11 fights (10 by knockout) before suffering his first pro loss to another rising contender, Bernardo Mercado, on April 3, 1979. As an amateur, Berbick had soundly beaten Mercado. However, with 10 seconds remaining in the first round of their only professional meeting, Berbick walked into a punch and was knocked out cold. Nevertheless he remained in contention for the heavyweight title.
A 1980 upset of ex-champ John Tate (9th round KO) secured a title shot against Larry Holmes on April 11, 1981, but Berbick lost a 15-round unanimous decision. In his second fight after the loss, he beat 39-year-old Muhammad Ali in the final fight of Ali's career.
In 1982 he beat undefeated prospect Greg Page, and in 1984 he moved to Miramar, Florida and signed with promoter Don King. Wins over undefeated Mitch "Blood" Green and David Bey scored him another title fight, and he won the WBC world heavyweight title by upsetting Pinklon Thomas with an easy unanimous decision on March 22, 1986. However, his reign as champion would be brief.
On November 22, in his first defense of the title, he was knocked down twice in the second round by 20-year-old Mike Tyson. Berbick got up from the first knockdown, but after the second he fell to the canvas three times while trying to get up, prompting referee Mills Lane to stop the fight, which gave Berbick a TKO loss. Again, he made boxing history—this time by being the man who Tyson defeated for his first heavyweight title, symbolically bridging the eras of Ali and Tyson, as fight commentator Barry Tompkins said after the knockout: "And we have a new era in boxing!"
In an interview on the YES Network's Centerstage in 2010, Mike Tyson told host Michael Kay that he had wanted to exact revenge on champion Trevor Berbick during their 1986 title bout for the beating Berbick gave Muhammad Ali in Ali's last fight in 1981.
"I just thought he unmercifully beat the crap out of Ali," Tyson says. "I just thought that he didn't have to do that. This guy, Ali, was absolutely helpless... Ali couldn't do nothing." [citation needed]
Along with Larry Holmes, Berbick is one of only two men in professional boxing history to have fought both Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
In 1991, he went to the UWFI in Japan to fight Nobuhiko Takada in a "boxer vs. wrestler" bout. Berbick claimed that he had been double-crossed and that he had expected the fight to be like American kickboxing, but it turned out that the rules allowed Takada to kick Berbick below the belt. Berbick refused to mount any offense, instead repeatedly complaining to the referee as Takada kicked him repeatedly in the legs. Takada claimed victory by default when Berbick exited the ring.[1]
Afterwards, his career deteriorated further. He eventually fought his last bout in 2000 against Canadian journeyman Shane Sutcliffe, winning a 12-round unanimous decision. Afterwards, a CAT scan revealed a blood clot in his brain and his boxing license was revoked. His final professional record was 49 wins (33 by knockout), 12 losses, and 1 draw.
Outside the ring
Berbick was a preacher at the Moments of Miracles Pentecostal church in Las Vegas.
Troubles with the law
Berbick was arrested on a number of occasions throughout his life and was sentenced in Florida to 5 years in prison for sexually assaulting his children's babysitter in 1992. He served 15 months. In 1997, he violated his parole and was deported from the United States.
Feud with Larry Holmes
Berbick had a well-publicized feud with Larry Holmes, whom he fought in 1981. Their feud culminated in a public brawl in 1991 which was caught on tape. Holmes landed a flying drop kick on Berbick off the hood of a car while Berbick was being escorted from the scene by police; Berbick was complaining about being kicked and punched by Larry Holmes moments before a camera caught Holmes fly kicking Berbick.[2]
Retirement
He retired in Florida to be with his wife and four children (he had three children with his first wife in Montreal) and started to train boxers at Kenny Barrett's Gym in Tamarac, Florida. Berbick's problems escalated. He was again deported from the U.S. on December 2, 2002.
Murder
On October 28, 2006, Berbick was murdered at a church in Norwich, Jamaica by an assailant wielding a 2-inch-thick (51 mm) steel pipe. He suffered multiple blows to the head and died at the scene.[3]
Police arrested two men, one of whom was Berbick's 20-year-old nephew Harold Berbick,[4] in connection with the murder. They were interrogated at the Port Antonio police station in Portland as of early in the morning of October 29.[5] Local residents indicated that the suspect was involved in a land dispute with Berbick.[6] On November 3 it was reported that Berbick's nephew, 20-year-old Harold Berbick, and an unidentified 18-year-old man had been charged with his murder by Jamaican police.[7] On December 20, 2007, Harold Berbick was found guilty of the murder of his uncle. His alleged accomplice, Kenton Gordon, was found guilty of manslaughter. Both were sentenced on January 11, 2008.[8] Harold Berbick was sentenced to life in prison; Kenton Gordon was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.[9]
Berbick is survived by four sons and three daughters Quinn, Jamaal, Shawn, Trevor Jr, Trisha, Nadia, and Anita and they live in Halifax, Nova Scotia and South Florida.
Professional boxing record
49 Wins (33 knockouts, 16 decisions), 11 Losses (2 knockouts, 9 decisions), 1 Draw [10] | |||||||
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 49-11-1 | Shane Sutcliffe | UD | 12 | 26/05/2000 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Retained Canada Heavyweight title. Shortly after this fight, Berbick retired and vacated the title. |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 48-11-1 | Tony La Rosa | SD | 8 | 12/08/1999 | Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 48-10-1 | Iran Barkley | UD | 8 | 29/06/1999 | Molson Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 47-10-1 | Shane Sutcliffe | TKO | 12 (12) | 05/02/1999 | Pierre-Charbonneau Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Won Canada Heavyweight title. Berbick recaptures the Canadian heavyweight crown 14 years after vacating the title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 46-10-1 | Ben Perlini | UD | 10 | 06/08/1998 | Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada | |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 45-10-1 | Lyle McDowell | SD | 12 | 15/09/1997 | Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | For vacant IBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title. |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 45-9-1 | Hasim Rahman | UD | 10 | 15/10/1996 | Caesar's Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 45-8-1 | Louis Monaco | UD | 10 | 18/09/1996 | Music Fair, Westbury, New York, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 44-8-1 | Ken Smith | TKO | 4 (10) | 26/04/1996 | Westbury, New York, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 43-8-1 | Bruce Johnson | TKO | 3 (?) | 25/08/1995 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 42-8-1 | Jimmy Thunder | PTS | 12 | 15/03/1995 | Mounds View, Minnesota, United States | For vacant WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 42-7-1 | Melvin Foster | SD | 10 | 13/09/1994 | Westbury, New York, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 41-7-1 | Marcellus Brown | KO | 2 (10) | 10/08/1994 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 40-7-1 | Paul Phillips | KO | 4 (10) | 30/07/1994 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 39-7-1 | Danny Wofford | PTS | 8 | 14/03/1994 | Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 38-7-1 | Garing Lane | PTS | 8 | 02/08/1991 | Palais des Festivals, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 37-7-1 | Bobby Crabtree | KO | 5 (10) | 14/12/1990 | Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 36-7-1 | Jeff Sims | TKO | 6 (10) | 18/07/1990 | Varsity Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 35-7-1 | Buster Douglas | UD | 10 | 25/02/1989 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 35-6-1 | O T Davis | KO | 3 (10) | 20/09/1988 | Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 34-6-1 | Carl Williams | UD | 12 | 27/06/1988 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | For USBA Heavyweight title. IBF Heavyweight title eliminator. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 34-5-1 | Robert Evans | UD | 10 | 24/11/1987 | The Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 33-5-1 | Lorenzo Boyd | TKO | 3 (10) | 29/10/1987 | Musical Center, Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 32-5-1 | Art Terry | TKO | 5 (10) | 31/07/1987 | Lee Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, United States | |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 31-5-1 | Mike Tyson | TKO | 2 (12) | 22/11/1986 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Lost WBC Heavyweight title. Berbick knocked down twice in round 2. After trying to rise from the second knockdown he fell another two times. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 31-4-1 | Pinklon Thomas | UD | 12 | 22/03/1986 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won WBC Heavyweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 30-4-1 | Mike Perkins | TKO | 10 (10) | 17/01/1986 | The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia (U.S. state), United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 29-4-1 | Mitch Green | UD | 12 | 10/08/1985 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Retained USBA Heavyweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 28-4-1 | David Bey | TKO | 11 (12) | 15/06/1985 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won USBA Heavyweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 27-4-1 | Walter Santemore | UD | 10 | 28/11/1984 | Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 26-4-1 | Andros Ernie Barr | TKO | 4 (12) | 01/09/1984 | Nassau, Bahamas | Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight title. Berbick forfeited title for failing to defend within stipulated period. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 25-4-1 | Mark Lee | PTS | 10 | 13/03/1984 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 24-4-1 | Mike Cohen | TKO | 4 (10) | 19/02/1984 | Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, United States | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 23-4-1 | Ken Lakusta | TKO | 10 (12) | 09/09/1983 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) & Canada Heavyweight titles. |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 22-4-1 | S. T. Gordon | UD | 10 | 28/05/1983 | Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 22-3-1 | Renaldo Snipes | PTS | 10 | 02/10/1982 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Berbick down in the 1st round. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 22-2-1 | Greg Page | UD | 10 | 11/06/1982 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Page broke his right thumb in the 2nd round. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 21-2-1 | Gordon Racette | TKO | 11 (12) | 05/03/1982 | Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada | Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) & Canada Heavyweight titles. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 20-2-1 | Muhammad Ali | UD | 10 | 11/12/1981 | Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas | Template:Was Ali's last fight |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 19-2-1 | Conroy Nelson | KO | 2 (15) | 21/07/1981 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Retained Canada Heavyweight title & won vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight title. Commonwealth title had vacated by John L. Gardner. |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 18-2-1 | Larry Holmes | UD | 15 | 11/04/1981 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For WBC Heavyweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 18-1-1 | Chuck Gardner | TKO | 3 (10) | 31/01/1981 | Kingston, Jamaica | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 17-1-1 | Chuck Findlay | KO | 1 (10) | 11/11/1980 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 16-1-1 | Ron Rouselle | KO | 1 (12) | 27/08/1980 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Retained Canada Heavyweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 15-1-1 | John Tate | KO | 9 (10) | 20/06/1980 | Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Tate turned away from Berbick early in round 9 after being hit by an overhand right. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 14-1-1 | Johnny Warr | SD | 10 | 11/03/1980 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 13-1-1 | Ngozika Ekwelum | KO | 5 (10) | 11/12/1979 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
Draw | 12-1-1 | Leroy Caldwell | PTS | 10 | 14/06/1979 | Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 12–1 | Earl McLeay | TKO | 7 (12) | 26/05/1979 | Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada | Won vacant Canada Heavyweight title. Title had been vacated upon the retirement of George Chuvalo. |
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 11–1 | Bernardo Mercado | KO | 1 (12) | 03/04/1979 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | For WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title. |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 11–0 | Greg Sorrentino | TKO | 1 (10) | 08/10/1978 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 10–0 | Gregory Johnson | KO | 4 (10) | 12/09/1978 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 9–0 | Tony Moore | TKO | 6 (10) | 01/08/1978 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 8–0 | Horst Geisler | KO | 1 (10) | 28/06/1978 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 7–0 | Eugene Green | UD | 10 | 08/12/1977 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 6–0 | Eddie Owens | TKO | 5 (10) | 08/09/1977 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 5–0 | Willie Moore | KO | 4 (10) | 18/08/1977 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 4–0 | Joe Maye | TKO | 7 (10) | 25/01/1977 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 3–0 | Michael (Ace) Lucas | TKO | 2 (6) | 09/01/1977 | New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 2–0 | Bobby Halpern | TKO | 3 (6) | 23/11/1977 | Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 1–0 | Wayne Martin | TKO | 5 (6) | 27/09/1977 | Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada | Pro debut for Berbick. |
References
- ↑ Quebrada.net
- ↑ Canada. "Sports - The Globe and Mail". Globesports.com. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
- ↑ "Former heavyweight boxing champion found dead". London: The Guardian. October 28, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
- ↑ Sun Sentinel
- ↑ "Former heavyweight boxing champion found dead". Casper Star-Tribune. October 29, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-29.
- ↑ "Jamaican police make arrest in slaying of ex-boxing champ Trevor Berbick". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 30, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-30.
- ↑ "Nephew Charged With Berbick's Slaying". New York Times. November 3, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
- ↑ "Berbick's nephew one of two convicted in boxer's murder - boxing - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-12-21. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
- ↑ "Berbick Killer Gets Life".
- ↑ "Trevor Berbick - Boxer". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
External links
|
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Trevor Berbick |
- Professional boxing record for Trevor Berbick from BoxRec
- Sports Illustrated Obituary
- American Heritage on Trevor Berbick vs. Muhammad Ali
Achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by David Bey |
USBA Heavyweight Champion June 15, 1985 - March 22, 1986 Vacated |
Succeeded by Tony Tucker |
Preceded by Pinklon Thomas |
Heavyweight boxing champion (WBC) March 22, 1986 - November 22, 1986 |
Succeeded by Mike Tyson |