Trevor Berbick


Trevor Berbick 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 the last boxer to fight Muhammad Ali, defeating him in 1981 by unanimous decision.
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. Berbick is the only boxer to have fought Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, and Mike Tyson.

Early life

Berbick was born in the Norwich area of Port Antonio, Portland Parish, Jamaica. As a young man, he worked at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base in Cuba, where he first took up boxing as a means of self-defence.

Amateur career

At 22, 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.
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.

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 before suffering his first pro loss to another rising contender, Bernardo Mercado, on 3 April 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.
A 1980 upset of ex-champ John Tate secured a title shot against Larry Holmes on 11 April 1981, but Berbick lost a 15-round unanimous decision. In his second fight after the loss, he beat 39-year-old Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision 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.
Berbick won the WBC world heavyweight title by upsetting Pinklon Thomas with a unanimous decision on 22 March 1986. The champion Thomas was a 6.5-1 favorite, however Berbick won a battle of attrition by wearing Thomas down with his strength and quickness. Almost knocking down Thomas in the 11th round with a powerful left hook. Both fighter's faces showed the "meanness and toughness" of the battle; Berbick marked around both eyes, Thomas cut in the corner of his left eye. The scores for Berbick were 115/113 twice, and 115/114. The Associated Press scored it 116-113 for Berbick.
However, his reign as champion would be brief.
On 22 November, 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.
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, 11 losses, and 1 draw.

Exhibition bout

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. According to UWFi trainer Pat McCarthy, "no rules were ever changed, and just never wanted to listen". Berbick refused to mount any offense, instead repeatedly complaining to the referee as Takada landed repeated low kicks to his legs. Takada claimed victory by default when Berbick exited the ring.

Outside the ring

Berbick trained young boxers in New Westminster, British Columbia in the late 1990s to early 2000s.
For some time, Berbick was a preacher at the Moments of Miracles Pentecostal church in Las Vegas. He claimed to have a religious experience at the age of 16.

Rape conviction

Berbick was arrested on a number of occasions throughout his life and was sentenced in Florida to five years in prison for raping his children's babysitter in 1992. He served only 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. Later in 1999, he won the right to remain in Canada.

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.

Retirement

Berbick retired in Florida to be with his wife and four children 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 2 December 2002.

Death

On 28 October 2006, Berbick was murdered at a church in Port Antonio, Jamaica, by an assailant wielding a steel pipe. He sustained repeated 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 early on the morning of 29 October. Local residents indicated that the suspect was involved in a land dispute with Berbick. On 3 November 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 20 December 2007, Harold Berbick was convicted for the murder of his uncle. His accomplice, Kenton Gordon, was convicted of manslaughter and both men were sentenced on 11 January 2008. Harold Berbick was sentenced to life in prison; Kenton Gordon was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
61WinShane SutcliffeUD1226 May 2000PNE Agrodome, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaRetained Canada heavyweight title
60Loss48–11–1Tony LaRosaSD812 Aug 1999Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada
59Win48–10–1Iran BarkleyUD829 Jun 1999Molson Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
58Win47–10–1Shane SutcliffeTKO12, 0:445 Feb 1999Centre Pierre Charbonneau, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaWon Canada heavyweight title
57Win46–10–1Ben PerliniUD106 Aug 1998Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada
56Loss45–10–1Lyle McDowellSD1215 Sep 1997Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaFor vacant IBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
55Loss45–9–1Hasim RahmanUD1015 Oct 1996Circus Maximus Showroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
54Win45–8–1Louis MonacoUD1018 Sep 1996Westbury Music Fair, North Hempstead, New York, U.S.
53Win44–8–1Ken SmithTKO4, 1:0526 Apr 1996Westbury Music Fair, North Hempstead, New York, U.S.
52Win43–8–1Bruce JohnsonTKO3 25 Aug 1995Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
51Loss42–8–1Jimmy ThunderUD1215 Mar 1995Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake, Minnesota, U.S.For vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
50Win42–7–1Melvin FosterSD1013 Sep 1994Westbury Music Fair, North Hempstead, New York, U.S.
49Win41–7–1Marselles BrownKO2 10 Aug 1994Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
48Win40–7–1Paul PhillipsKO4, 1:1430 Jul 1994Myrl H. Shoemaker Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
47Win39–7–1Danny WoffordPTS814 Mar 1994Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.
46Win38–7–1Garing LanePTS82 Aug 1991Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, Cannes, France
45Win37–7–1Bobby CrabtreeKO5, 2:0014 Dec 1990The Diplomat, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
44Win36–7–1Jeff SimsTKO6, 2:1518 Jul 1990Varsity Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
43Loss35–7–1Buster DouglasUD1025 Feb 1989Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
42Win35–6–1O T DavisKO3 20 Sep 1988Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
41Loss34–6–1Carl WilliamsUD1227 Jun 1988Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For USBA heavyweight title
40Win34–5–1Robert EvansUD1024 Nov 1987Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
39Win33–5–1Lorenzo BoydTKO3, 1:4829 Oct 1987Musical Theater, Sunrise, Florida, U.S.
38Win32–5–1Art TerryTKO5, 1:3331 Jul 1987Lee County Civic Center, North Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
37Loss31–5–1Mike TysonTKO2, 2:3522 Nov 1986Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC heavyweight title
36Win31–4–1Pinklon ThomasUD1222 Mar 1986Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC heavyweight title
35Win30–4–1Mike PerkinsTKO10 17 Jan 1986Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
34Win29–4–1Mitch Green1210 Aug 1985Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained USBA heavyweight title
33Win28–4–1David BeyTKO11, 2:3015 Jun 1985Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Won USBA heavyweight title
32Win27–4–1Walter SantemoreUD1028 Nov 1984Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31Win26–4–1Andros Ernie BarrTKO4 1 Sep 1984Nassau, BahamasRetained Commonwealth heavyweight title
30Win25–4–1Mark Lee1013 Mar 1984Wembley Arena, London, England
29Win24–4–1Mike CohenKO4 19 Feb 1984Hyatt Regency, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
28Win23–4–1Ken LakustaKO10, 1:529 Sep 1983Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaRetained Commonwealth and Canada heavyweight titles
27Loss22–4–1S. T. GordonUD1028 May 1983Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
26Loss22–3–1Renaldo SnipesUD102 Oct 1982Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
25Win22–2–1Greg PageUD1011 Jun 1982Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
24Win21–2–1Gordon RacetteTKO11 5 Mar 1982Frank Crane Arena, Nanaimo, British Columbia, CanadaRetained Commonwealth and Canada heavyweight titles
23Win20–2–1Muhammad AliUD1011 Dec 1981Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas
22Win19–2–1Conroy NelsonKO2, 2:4921 Jul 1981Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaRetained Canada heavyweight title;
Won vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title
21Loss18–2–1Larry HolmesUD1511 Apr 1981Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles
20Win18–1–1Chuck GardnerTKO4, 1:1231 Jan 1981Kingston, Jamaica
19Win17–1–1Chuck FindlayKO1, 2:4711 Nov 1980Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
18Win16–1–1Ron RouselleKO1, 0:3327 Aug 1980Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaRetained Canada heavyweight title
17Win15–1–1John TateKO9, 0:2220 Jun 1980Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
16Win14–1–1Johnny Warr1011 Mar 1980Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
15Win13–1–1Ngozika EkwelumTKO5, 0:0111 Dec 1979Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
14Draw12–1–1Leroy Caldwell1014 Jun 1979Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
13Win12–1Earl McLeayTKO7, 2:0726 May 1979Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, CanadaWon vacant Canada heavyweight title
12Loss11–1Bernardo MercadoKO1, 2:553 Apr 1979Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaFor vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
11Win11–0Greg SorrentinoTKO1, 1:278 Oct 1978Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
10Win10–0Gregory JohnsonKO4, 2:4912 Sep 1978Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
9Win9–0Tony MooreTKO6, 0:011 Aug 1978Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
8Win8–0Horst GeislerKO1, 1:2128 Jun 1978Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
7Win7–0Eugene Green108 Dec 1977Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
6Win6–0Eddie OwensTKO5, 2:348 Sep 1977Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
5Win5–0Willie Moore4, 2:0418 Aug 1977Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
4Win4–0Joe MayeTKO7, 2:5025 Jan 1977Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
3Win3–0Michael LucasTKO2, 2:219 Jan 1977New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada
2Win2–0Bobby HalpernTKO3, 2:0523 Nov 1976Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
1Win1–0Wayne Martin5 27 Sep 1976Festival Arena, Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada

Exhibition boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
1Loss0–1Nobuhiko Takada1, 3:00Dec 21, 1991Sumo Hall, Tokyo, JapanUnder special boxing-wrestling rules