Trevor Berbick

Trevor Berbick
File:Trevorberbick.jpg
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	(1954-08-01)August 1, 1954 Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica
Died	Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	61
Wins	49
Wins by KO	29
Losses	11
Draws	1
No contests	0

Trevor Berbick

Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing Jamaica
Pan American Games
	1975 Mexico City	Heavyweight

Trevor Berbick (August 1, 1954 – October 28, 2006) was a boxer who was the WBC heavyweight champion of the world in 1986. He won the title from Pinklon Thomas via a 12-round unanimous decision, and lost it in his first defence to a 20-year-old Mike Tyson, via a 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, Berbick took on Mike Tyson, who was looking to break Floyd Patterson's record and become, at the age of twenty, the youngest ever heavyweight champion. In the second round, Tyson dropped Berbick with a quick knockdown. Berbick was quickly overwhelmed by his opponent and late in the round, he went down again. The champion rose to his feet, but immediately stumbled backward and fell back to the canvas. Berbick tried twice more to make it to his feet but fell both times, and referee Mills Lane stopped counting and waved the fight off to end Berbick's reign as champion.

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.

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), 11 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 the ring in 1981. Their feud culminated in a public confrontation and brawl in 1991, which was caught on tape. After a verbal altercation indoors, Berbick was outside complaining about being kicked and punched by Larry Holmes when Holmes climbed atop a parked car and launched himself at Berbick. The footage ends as the two are separated by police and others.

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.

Police arrested two men, one of whom was Berbick's 20-year-old nephew Harold Berbick, 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. Local residents indicated that the suspect was involved in a land dispute with Berbick. 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. 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. Harold Berbick was sentenced to life in prison; Kenton Gordon was sentenced to fourteen years in prison. He was buried at the Berbick Family Plot Norwich Portland, Jamaica

In popular culture

Berbick is briefly portrayed as the ghost of Trevor Berbick in the "Ultimate Judgment Day" episode of Mike Tyson Mysteries.

Professional boxing record

49 Wins (33 knockouts, 16 decisions), 11 Losses (2 knockouts, 9 decisions), 1 Draw
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
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.
Loss	48-11-1	Tony LaRosa	SD	8	12/08/1999	Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada
Win	48-10-1	Iran Barkley	UD	8	29/06/1999	Molson Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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.
Win	46-10-1	Ben Perlini	UD	10	06/08/1998	Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada
Loss	45-10-1	Lyle McDowell	SD	12	15/09/1997	Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	For vacant IBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Loss	45-9-1	Hasim Rahman	UD	10	15/10/1996	Caesar's Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	45-8-1	Louis Monaco	UD	10	18/09/1996	Music Fair, Westbury, New York, United States
Win	44-8-1	Ken Smith	TKO	4 (10)	26/04/1996	Westbury, New York, United States
Win	43-8-1	Bruce Johnson	TKO	3 (?)	25/08/1995	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss	42-8-1	Jimmy Thunder	PTS	12	15/03/1995	Mounds View, Minnesota, United States	For vacant WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title.
Win	42-7-1	Melvin Foster	SD	10	13/09/1994	Westbury, New York, United States
Win	41-7-1	Marcellus Brown	KO	2 (10)	10/08/1994	New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Win	40-7-1	Paul Phillips	KO	4 (10)	30/07/1994	Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Win	39-7-1	Danny Wofford	PTS	8	14/03/1994	Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Win	38-7-1	Garing Lane	PTS	8	02/08/1991	Palais des Festivals, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Win	37-7-1	Bobby Crabtree	KO	5 (10)	14/12/1990	Diplomat Hotel, Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win	36-7-1	Jeff Sims	TKO	6 (10)	18/07/1990	Varsity Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss	35-7-1	Buster Douglas	UD	10	25/02/1989	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	35-6-1	O T Davis	KO	3 (10)	20/09/1988	Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
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.
Win	34-5-1	Robert Evans	UD	10	24/11/1987	The Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	33-5-1	Lorenzo Boyd	TKO	3 (10)	29/10/1987	Musical Center, Sunrise, Florida, United States
Win	32-5-1	Art Terry	TKO	5 (10)	31/07/1987	Lee Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Loss	31-5-1	Mike Tyson	TKO	2 (12)	22/11/1986	Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Lost WBC Heavyweight title. Berbick down twice in second round.
Win	31-4-1	Pinklon Thomas	UD	12	22/03/1986	Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Won WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	30-4-1	Mike Perkins	TKO	10 (10)	17/01/1986	The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia (U.S. state), United States
Win	29-4-1	Mitch Green	UD	12	10/08/1985	Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained USBA Heavyweight title.
Win	28-4-1	David Bey	TKO	11 (12)	15/06/1985	Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Won USBA Heavyweight title.
Win	27-4-1	Walter Santemore	UD	10	28/11/1984	Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
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.
Win	25-4-1	Mark Lee	PTS	10	13/03/1984	Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
Win	24-4-1	Mike Cohen	TKO	4 (10)	19/02/1984	Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, United States
Win	23-4-1	Ken Lakusta	TKO	10 (12)	09/09/1983	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) & Canada Heavyweight titles.
Loss	22-4-1	S. T. Gordon	UD	10	28/05/1983	Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
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.
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.
Win	21-2-1	Gordon Racette	TKO	11 (12)	05/03/1982	Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada	Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) & Canada Heavyweight titles.
Win	20-2-1	Muhammad Ali	UD	10	11/12/1981	Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas	Was Ali's last fight
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.
Loss	18-2-1	Larry Holmes	UD	15	11/04/1981	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	For WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	18-1-1	Chuck Gardner	TKO	3 (10)	31/01/1981	Kingston, Jamaica
Win	17-1-1	Chuck Findlay	KO	1 (10)	11/11/1980	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	16-1-1	Ron Rouselle	KO	1 (12)	27/08/1980	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	Retained Canada Heavyweight title.
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.
Win	14-1-1	Johnny Warr	SD	10	11/03/1980	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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
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.
Loss	11–1	Bernardo Mercado	KO	1 (12)	03/04/1979	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada	For WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title.
Win	11–0	Greg Sorrentino	TKO	1 (10)	08/10/1978	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	10–0	Gregory Johnson	KO	4 (10)	12/09/1978	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	9–0	Tony Moore	TKO	6 (10)	01/08/1978	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	8–0	Horst Geisler	KO	1 (10)	28/06/1978	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	7–0	Eugene Green	UD	10	08/12/1977	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	6–0	Eddie Owens	TKO	5 (10)	08/09/1977	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	5–0	Willie Moore	KO	4 (10)	18/08/1977	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	4–0	Joe Maye	TKO	7 (10)	25/01/1977	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	3–0	Michael (Ace) Lucas	TKO	2 (6)	09/01/1977	New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	2–0	Bobby Halpern	TKO	3 (6)	23/11/1976	Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win	1–0	Wayne Martin	TKO	5 (6)	27/09/1976	Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada	Pro debut for Berbick.

External links

• 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