Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox boxer

Trevor Berbick (1 August 1954 – 28 October 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 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.

Amateur careerEdit

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>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).</ref>

Professional careerEdit

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 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 (9th-round KO) 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 (AP) scored it 116-113 for Berbick.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.

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, and according to UWFi trainer Pat McCarthy, "no rules were ever changed, and [Berbick] just never wanted to listen". 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.<ref>Quebrada.net</ref>

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 ringEdit

Berbick trained young boxers in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada in the late 90s to early 2000s.

Berbick was a preacher at the Moments of Miracles Pentecostal church in Las Vegas.

Rape convictionEdit

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 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Later in 1999 he won the right to remain in Canada.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Feud with Larry HolmesEdit

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

RetirementEdit

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 2 December 2002.

DeathEdit

On 28 October 2006, Berbick was murdered at a church in Norwich, Jamaica, by an assailant wielding a Template:Convert steel pipe. He sustained repeated blows to the head and died at the scene.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Harold Berbick was sentenced to life in prison; Kenton Gordon was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Trevor Berbick was buried at the Berbick family plot in Norwich, Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica.Template:Citation needed

Professional boxing recordEdit

Template:BoxingRecordSummary

Template:Abbr Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
61 Template:Yes2Win Template:Nowrap Shane Sutcliffe UD 12 26 May 2000 Template:Small Template:Small
60 Template:No2Loss 48–11–1 Tony LaRosa SD 8 12 Aug 1999 Template:Small
59 Template:Yes2Win 48–10–1 Iran Barkley UD 8 29 Jun 1999 Template:Small
58 Template:Yes2Win 47–10–1 Shane Sutcliffe TKO 12 (12), Template:Small 5 Feb 1999 Template:Small Template:Small
57 Template:Yes2Win 46–10–1 Ben Perlini UD 10 6 Aug 1998 Template:Small
56 Template:No2Loss 45–10–1 Lyle McDowell SD 12 15 Sep 1997 Template:Small Template:Small
55 Template:No2Loss 45–9–1 Hasim Rahman UD 10 15 Oct 1996 Template:Small
54 Template:Yes2Win 45–8–1 Louis Monaco UD 10 18 Sep 1996 Template:Small
53 Template:Yes2Win 44–8–1 Ken Smith TKO 4 (10), Template:Small 26 Apr 1996 Template:Small
52 Template:Yes2Win 43–8–1 Bruce Johnson TKO 3 (10) 25 Aug 1995 Template:Small
51 Template:No2Loss 42–8–1 Jimmy Thunder UD 12 15 Mar 1995 Template:Small Template:Small
50 Template:Yes2Win 42–7–1 Melvin Foster SD 10 13 Sep 1994 Template:Small
49 Template:Yes2Win 41–7–1 Marselles Brown KO 2 (10) 10 Aug 1994 Template:Small
48 Template:Yes2Win 40–7–1 Paul Phillips KO 4 (10), Template:Small 30 Jul 1994 Template:Small
47 Template:Yes2Win 39–7–1 Danny Wofford PTS 8 14 Mar 1994 Template:Small
46 Template:Yes2Win 38–7–1 Garing Lane PTS 8 2 Aug 1991 Template:Small
45 Template:Yes2Win 37–7–1 Bobby Crabtree KO 5 (10), Template:Small 14 Dec 1990 Template:Small
44 Template:Yes2Win 36–7–1 Jeff Sims TKO 6 (10), Template:Small 18 Jul 1990 Template:Small
43 Template:No2Loss 35–7–1 Buster Douglas UD 10 25 Feb 1989 Template:Small
42 Template:Yes2Win 35–6–1 O T Davis KO 3 (10) 20 Sep 1988 Template:Small
41 Template:No2Loss 34–6–1 Carl Williams UD 12 27 Jun 1988 Template:Small Template:Small
40 Template:Yes2Win 34–5–1 Robert Evans UD 10 24 Nov 1987 Template:Small
39 Template:Yes2Win 33–5–1 Lorenzo Boyd TKO 3 (10), Template:Small 29 Oct 1987 Template:Small
38 Template:Yes2Win 32–5–1 Art Terry TKO 5 (10), Template:Small 31 Jul 1987 Template:Small
37 Template:No2Loss 31–5–1 Mike Tyson TKO 2 (12), Template:Small 22 Nov 1986 Template:Small Template:Small
36 Template:Yes2Win 31–4–1 Pinklon Thomas UD 12 22 Mar 1986 Template:Small Template:Small
35 Template:Yes2Win 30–4–1 Mike Perkins TKO 10 (10) 17 Jan 1986 Template:Small
34 Template:Yes2Win 29–4–1 Mitch Green Template:Abbr 12 10 Aug 1985 Template:Small Template:Small
33 Template:Yes2Win 28–4–1 David Bey TKO 11 (12), Template:Small 15 Jun 1985 Template:Small Template:Small
32 Template:Yes2Win 27–4–1 Walter Santemore UD 10 28 Nov 1984 Template:Small
31 Template:Yes2Win 26–4–1 Andros Ernie Barr TKO 4 (12) 1 Sep 1984 Template:Small Template:Small
30 Template:Yes2Win 25–4–1 Mark Lee Template:Abbr 10 13 Mar 1984 Template:Small
29 Template:Yes2Win 24–4–1 Mike Cohen KO 4 (10) 19 Feb 1984 Template:Small
28 Template:Yes2Win 23–4–1 Ken Lakusta KO 10 (12), Template:Small 9 Sep 1983 Template:Small Template:Small
27 Template:No2Loss 22–4–1 S. T. Gordon UD 10 28 May 1983 Template:Small
26 Template:No2Loss 22–3–1 Renaldo Snipes UD 10 2 Oct 1982 Template:Small
25 Template:Yes2Win 22–2–1 Greg Page UD 10 11 Jun 1982 Template:Small
24 Template:Yes2Win 21–2–1 Gordon Racette TKO 11 (12) 5 Mar 1982 Template:Small Template:Small
23 Template:Yes2Win 20–2–1 Muhammad Ali UD 10 11 Dec 1981 Template:Small
22 Template:Yes2Win 19–2–1 Conroy Nelson KO 2 (15), Template:Small 21 Jul 1981 Template:Small Template:Small
21 Template:No2Loss 18–2–1 Larry Holmes UD 15 11 Apr 1981 Template:Small Template:Small
20 Template:Yes2Win 18–1–1 Chuck Gardner TKO 4 (10), Template:Small 31 Jan 1981 Template:Small
19 Template:Yes2Win 17–1–1 Chuck Findlay KO 1 (10), Template:Small 11 Nov 1980 Template:Small
18 Template:Yes2Win 16–1–1 Ron Rouselle KO 1 (12), Template:Small 27 Aug 1980 Template:Small Template:Small
17 Template:Yes2Win 15–1–1 John Tate KO 9 (10), Template:Small 20 Jun 1980 Template:Small
16 Template:Yes2Win 14–1–1 Johnny Warr Template:Abbr 10 11 Mar 1980 Template:Small
15 Template:Yes2Win 13–1–1 Ngozika Ekwelum TKO 5 (10), Template:Small 11 Dec 1979 Template:Small
14 Template:DrawDraw 12–1–1 Leroy Caldwell Template:Abbr 10 14 Jun 1979 Template:Small
13 Template:Yes2Win 12–1 Earl McLeay TKO 7 (12), Template:Small 26 May 1979 Template:Small Template:Small
12 Template:No2Loss 11–1 Bernardo Mercado KO 1 (12), Template:Small 3 Apr 1979 Template:Small Template:Small
11 Template:Yes2Win 11–0 Greg Sorrentino TKO 1 (10), Template:Small 8 Oct 1978 Template:Small
10 Template:Yes2Win 10–0 Gregory Johnson KO 4 (10), Template:Small 12 Sep 1978 Template:Small
9 Template:Yes2Win 9–0 Tony Moore TKO 6 (10), Template:Small 1 Aug 1978 Template:Small
8 Template:Yes2Win 8–0 Horst Geisler KO 1 (10), Template:Small 28 Jun 1978 Template:Small
7 Template:Yes2Win 7–0 Eugene Green Template:Abbr 10 8 Dec 1977 Template:Small
6 Template:Yes2Win 6–0 Eddie Owens TKO 5 (10), Template:Small 8 Sep 1977 Template:Small
5 Template:Yes2Win 5–0 Willie Moore Template:Abbr 4 (10), Template:Small 18 Aug 1977 Template:Small
4 Template:Yes2Win 4–0 Joe Maye TKO 7 (10), Template:Small 25 Jan 1977 Template:Small
3 Template:Yes2Win 3–0 Michael Lucas TKO 2 (6), Template:Small 9 Jan 1977 Template:Small
2 Template:Yes2Win 2–0 Bobby Halpern TKO 3 (6), Template:Small 23 Nov 1976 Template:Small
1 Template:Yes2Win 1–0 Wayne Martin Template:Abbr 5 (6) 27 Sep 1976 Template:Small

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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