Trevor Berbick
Trevor Berbick (August 1, 1954 – October 28, 2006) was a Jamaican professional boxer who competed from 1976 to 2000. He won the WBC heavyweight title in 1986 by defeating Pinklon Thomas, then lost it in his first defense in the same year to Mike Tyson. Berbick was also the last boxer to fight Muhammad Ali, defeating him in 1981.
| Trevor Berbick | ||||||||||||||
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| Statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight | |||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | |||||||||||||
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) | |||||||||||||
| Nationality | Jamaican | |||||||||||||
| Born | August 1, 1954 Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica | |||||||||||||
| Died | October 28, 2006 (aged 52) Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica | |||||||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||
| Boxing record | ||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 61 | |||||||||||||
| Wins | 49 | |||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 29 | |||||||||||||
| Losses | 11 | |||||||||||||
| Draws | 1 | |||||||||||||
Medal record
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As an amateur, Berbick won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 1975 Pan American Games. In both his early and late professional career he held the Canadian heavyweight title twice, from 1979 to 1986 and 1999 to 2001.
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 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. The previous year, in his only bout at the Pan American Games in Mexico City, Berbick lost a decision to future heavyweight champion Michael Dokes in the semi-finals, winning a bronze medal.[1]
Leroy Caldwell, a boxer who fought almost all notable top-ranked heavyweights of the 1970s and early 1980s, including several world champions, recalled that Berbick was his most talented opponent.[2]
Professional career
Berbick left Jamaica after the Olympics. He opted to settle in Montreal and fight professionally out of 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 traveled to the UWFi promotion 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.[3]
Berbick resumed his boxing career in 1994, frequently fighting on the USA Tuesday Night Fights. He would score a mild upset over Melvin Foster but would go on to lose to prospects such as Jimmy Thunder and Hasim Rahman. 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.
Rape conviction
Berbick was arrested on a number of occasions throughout his life and was sentenced in Florida to 5 years in prison for raping his children's babysitter in 1992. He served 15 months. In 1997, he violated his parole and was deported from the United States to Canada. Due to his legal issues, he also had problems staying in Canada, losing his landed immigrant status and being ordered back to Jamaica in 1999.[4] Later in 1999 he won the right to remain in Canada.[5]
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. Holmes was furious with Berbick badmouthing his family. The footage ends as the two are separated by police and others.[6]
Retirement
Berbick 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.
Death
On October 28, 2006, Berbick was murdered at a church in Norwich, Jamaica by an assailant wielding a 2-inch-diameter (51 mm) steel pipe. He sustained repeated blows to the head and died at the scene.[7]
Police arrested two men, one of whom was Berbick's 20-year-old nephew Harold Berbick,[8] in connection with the murder. They were interrogated at the Port Antonio police station in Portland early on the morning of October 29.[9] Local residents indicated that the suspect was involved in a land dispute with Berbick.[10] 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.[11] On December 20, 2007, Harold Berbick was convicted for the murder of his uncle. His alleged accomplice, Kenton Gordon, was convicted of manslaughter and both men were sentenced on January 11, 2008.[12] Harold Berbick was sentenced to life in prison; Kenton Gordon was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.[13] Trevor Berbick's body was buried at the Berbick Family Plot Norwich, in Portland, Jamaica.
Professional boxing record
| 61 fights | 49 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 33 | 2 |
| By decision | 16 | 9 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Win | 49–11–1 | .svg.png){kind=small} |
UD | 12 | May 26, 2000 | |
Retained Canada heavyweight title |
| 60 | Loss | 48–11–1 |  |
SD | 8 | Aug 12, 1999 | |
|
| 59 | Win | 48–10–1 | |
UD | 8 | Jun 29, 1999 | |
|
| 58 | Win | 47–10–1 | |
TKO | 12 (12), 0:44 | Feb 5, 1999 | |
Won Canada heavyweight title |
| 57 | Win | 46–10–1 | |
UD | 10 | Aug 6, 1998 | |
|
| 56 | Loss | 45–10–1 | |
SD | 12 | Sep 15, 1997 | |
For vacant IBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
| 55 | Loss | 45–9–1 | |
UD | 10 | Oct 15, 1996 | |
|
| 54 | Win | 45–8–1 | |
UD | 10 | Sep 18, 1996 | |
|
| 53 | Win | 44–8–1 | |
TKO | 4 (10), 1:05 | Apr 26, 1996 | |
|
| 52 | Win | 43–8–1 | |
TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 25, 1995 | |
|
| 51 | Loss | 42–8–1 |  |
UD | 12 | Mar 15, 1995 | |
For vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title |
| 50 | Win | 42–7–1 | |
SD | 10 | Sep 13, 1994 | |
|
| 49 | Win | 41–7–1 | |
KO | 2 (10) | Aug 10, 1994 | |
|
| 48 | Win | 40–7–1 | |
KO | 4 (10), 1:14 | Jul 30, 1994 | |
|
| 47 | Win | 39–7–1 | |
PTS | 8 | Mar 14, 1994 | |
|
| 46 | Win | 38–7–1 | |
PTS | 8 | Aug 2, 1991 |  |
|
| 45 | Win | 37–7–1 | |
KO | 5 (10), 2:00 | Dec 14, 1990 | |
|
| 44 | Win | 36–7–1 | |
TKO | 6 (10), 2:15 | Jul 18, 1990 | |
|
| 43 | Loss | 35–7–1 | |
UD | 10 | Feb 25, 1989 | |
|
| 42 | Win | 35–6–1 | |
KO | 3 (10) | Sep 20, 1988 | |
|
| 41 | Loss | 34–6–1 | |
UD | 12 | Jun 27, 1988 | |
For USBA heavyweight title |
| 40 | Win | 34–5–1 | |
UD | 10 | Nov 24, 1987 | |
|
| 39 | Win | 33–5–1 | |
TKO | 3 (10), 1:48 | Oct 29, 1987 | |
|
| 38 | Win | 32–5–1 | |
TKO | 5 (10), 1:33 | Jul 31, 1987 | |
|
| 37 | Loss | 31–5–1 | |
TKO | 2 (12), 2:35 | Nov 22, 1986 | |
Lost WBC heavyweight title |
| 36 | Win | 31–4–1 | |
UD | 12 | Mar 22, 1986 | |
Won WBC heavyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 30–4–1 | |
TKO | 10 (10) | Jan 17, 1986 | |
|
| 34 | Win | 29–4–1 | |
MD | 12 | Aug 10, 1985 | |
Retained USBA heavyweight title |
| 33 | Win | 28–4–1 | |
TKO | 11 (12), 2:30 | Jun 15, 1985 | |
Won USBA heavyweight title |
| 32 | Win | 27–4–1 | |
UD | 10 | Nov 28, 1984 | |
|
| 31 | Win | 26–4–1 |  |
TKO | 4 (12) | Sep 1, 1984 | |
Retained Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 30 | Win | 25–4–1 | |
PTS | 10 | Mar 13, 1984 |  |
|
| 29 | Win | 24–4–1 | |
KO | 4 (10) | Feb 19, 1984 | |
|
| 28 | Win | 23–4–1 | |
KO | 10 (12), 1:52 | Sep 9, 1983 | |
Retained Commonwealth and Canada heavyweight titles |
| 27 | Loss | 22–4–1 | |
UD | 10 | May 28, 1983 | |
|
| 26 | Loss | 22–3–1 | |
UD | 10 | Oct 2, 1982 | |
|
| 25 | Win | 22–2–1 | |
UD | 10 | Jun 11, 1982 | |
|
| 24 | Win | 21–2–1 | |
TKO | 11 (12) | Mar 5, 1982 | |
Retained Commonwealth and Canada heavyweight titles |
| 23 | Win | 20–2–1 | |
UD | 10 | Dec 11, 1981 | |
|
| 22 | Win | 19–2–1 | |
KO | 2 (15), 2:49 | Jul 21, 1981 | |
Retained Canada heavyweight title; Won vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 21 | Loss | 18–2–1 | |
UD | 15 | Apr 11, 1981 | |
For WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles |
| 20 | Win | 18–1–1 | |
TKO | 4 (10), 1:12 | Jan 31, 1981 |  |
|
| 19 | Win | 17–1–1 | |
KO | 1 (10), 2:47 | Nov 11, 1980 | |
|
| 18 | Win | 16–1–1 | |
KO | 1 (12), 0:33 | Aug 27, 1980 | |
Retained Canada heavyweight title |
| 17 | Win | 15–1–1 | |
KO | 9 (10), 0:22 | Jun 20, 1980 | |
|
| 16 | Win | 14–1–1 | |
SD | 10 | Mar 11, 1980 | |
|
| 15 | Win | 13–1–1 |  |
TKO | 5 (10), 0:01 | Dec 11, 1979 | |
|
| 14 | Draw | 12–1–1 | |
PTS | 10 | Jun 14, 1979 | |
|
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | |
TKO | 7 (12), 2:07 | May 26, 1979 | |
Won vacant Canada heavyweight title |
| 12 | Loss | 11–1 |  |
KO | 1 (12), 2:55 | Apr 3, 1979 | |
For vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | |
TKO | 1 (10), 1:27 | Oct 8, 1978 | |
|
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | |
KO | 4 (10), 2:49 | Sep 12, 1978 | |
|
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | |
TKO | 6 (10), 0:01 | Aug 1, 1978 | |
|
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | |
KO | 1 (10), 1:21 | Jun 28, 1978 | |
|
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | |
UD | 10 | Dec 8, 1977 | |
|
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | |
TKO | 5 (10), 2:34 | Sep 8, 1977 | |
|
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | |
KO | 4 (10), 2:04 | Aug 18, 1977 | |
|
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | |
TKO | 7 (10), 2:50 | Jan 25, 1977 | |
|
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | |
TKO | 2 (6), 2:21 | Jan 9, 1977 | |
|
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | |
TKO | 3 (6), 2:05 | Nov 23, 1976 | |
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | |
TKO | 5 (6) | Sep 27, 1976 | |
References
- "7.Panamerican Games - Ciudad Mexico, Mexico - October 12-26 1975". amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
- Did Earnie Shavers or George Foreman hit harder? Leroy Caldwell, who fought both, gives his take, an interview by Jeff Mayweather, Las Vegas, Nevada (7 July 2016).
- Quebrada.net
- Associated Press (1999-02-18). "Trevor Berbick Ordered from Canada". AP News Archive. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
- CBC News (1999-12-05). "Boxer Berbick wins deportation fight". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
- 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". Archived from the original on 2009-10-03.
External links
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Wikiquote has quotations related to: Trevor Berbick |
| Sporting positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional boxing titles | ||||
| Vacant Title last held by George Chuvalo |
Canada heavyweight champion May 26, 1979 – 1986 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Ken Lakusta | ||
| Vacant Title last held by John L. Gardner |
Commonwealth heavyweight champion July 21, 1981 – 1986 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Horace Notice | ||
| Preceded by David Bey |
USBA heavyweight champion June 15, 1981 – March 1986 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Tony Tucker | ||
| Preceded by Shane Sutcliffe |
Canada heavyweight champion February 5, 1999 – October 2001 Retired |
Vacant Title next held by Donovan Ruddock | ||
| World boxing titles | ||||
| Preceded by Pinklon Thomas |
WBC heavyweight champion March 22, 1986 – November 22, 1986 |
Succeeded by Mike Tyson | ||
Authority control  |
|---|