In the eighties and Seventies the boxing industry was jam-packed with world's best during this era. Mohammed Ali the great dominated this period of boxing and confronted smoking Joe most of these times. This era experienced sportsmanship at its best. To this writer and many others, the State-of-the-art within the boxing-entertainment industry at this period markedly was nothing comparable to it until the emergence of Mike Tyson.

Today according to reliable sources Trevor Berbick was found dead in a church courtyard Saturday with chop wounds to his head—police report.

Intelligence agencies here in the United States are treating his death as a homicide: “Berbick’s body was discovered about 6:30 a.m. in his hometown parish of Portland, Constable Beverly, Howell said. No other details were immediately available”.

Berbick was believed to be 52 years old and was besieged with legal problems following his retirement from the ring, ranging from his conviction of misdemeanor assault of former business manager; he was also accused of putting a gun at the head of the said business manager for stealing his money; he was convicted of raping a family baby-sitter and was sentenced to four years in prison. In 1992, he was convicted of second-degree grand theft for manipulating and in fact forging his ex-wife’s signature to obtain a mortgage on a home. Berbick was later deported from the United States. He went to Canada, according to reports he lived here for a time after the 1976 Olympics. He later moved back to United States and was deported again the second time.

In his ring engagements he was 50-11-1 record. In 1981 Berbick beat Mohammed Ali in a unanimous decision in far away Bahamas, Berbick matched on to win the WBC heavyweight title four years later in his fight with Pinklon Thomas. His championship reign was brief as he was knocked down many times by Iron Mike Tyson in 1986 bout. “His reign was short, however, as a 20 year-old Tyson knocked Berbick out in the second round of their bout November 22, 1986, to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

Berbick boxing world was from 1976 to 2000 with 33 knockouts. Record also shows that he also fought for Jamaica at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada. He had the speed, moves, punching-capacity, and had the potency to emerge as the lasting force in the heavyweight division before the arrival of Tyson. He dominated fighters like: Greg Page, John Tate, Iran Barkley and many others. On his failings or losses witnessed: Renaldo Snipes, Larry Holmes and Buster Douglas.

Recently it is believed that Berbick has been relaxing and living in Portland since 2002; he has also been occupied in coaching clinics. According to Campbell’s report, “Recently, he had been coaching boxing at clinics in Trinidad and Tobago.

Berbick was a great fighter and will be remembered as the last man that ended Mohammed Ali’s boxing career that ended that era. Berbick was a domineering spirit in his days—may his fighting spirit rest in perfect peace.

Carlisle U.O. Umunnah
Is New York Based Freelance Writer
Contact: cuu1_liberties@yahoo.com
October, 2006

All Copyright 2006!  No Portions may be reproduced for public use without prior written permission from the writer. For private use only, portions may be reproduced without written permission, provided the entire page and copyright notices are left intact with no additions, subtractions or modifications. 

Robot  # 1 | 31.10.2006 04:32

In the eighties and Seventies the boxing industry ...Read the full article.