This was during the Vietnam War and a lot of guys there were going wacko; some guys were waiting to be shipped off to war, others were coming back all busted up, legs gone, nerves shot. Jurors deliberated for just two hours before finding the former champion guilty of raping a 26-year-old woman that worked as a babysitter for the Berbick family. Berbick was quickly overwhelmed by his opponent and late in the round, he went down again. On October 28, 2006, after a night out at a bar, Berbick was on his way back home when he was ambushed by two men in the darkness. [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]. "We have our challenges in life, but Trevor seemed to handle hischallenges very badly," said C. Lloyd Allen, former president of theJamaica Boxing Board and a close friend. The Jamaican-born Berbick, who represented his native country at the1976 Olympics in Montreal, became a landed immigrant in 1979 and thefollowing year defeated Earl McLeay to win the Canadian heavyweighttitle that had been stripped from George Chuvalo for inactivity. A decision over undefeated Greg Page seven months later seemed to solidify Berbick as a legitimate contender, but consecutive losses to Renaldo Snipes and cruiserweight ST Gordon reversed his momentum and branded him a journeyman. After that, I figured I had a shot at being a pretty good fighter., From Guantanamo Bay, Berbick returned to Port Antonio, and, after one walkover after another, he eventually wound up representing Jamaica in the Montreal Olympics without having thrown a single punch. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. They beat Berbick with a crowbar and a pipe, leaving him. They beat Berbick with a crowbar and a pipe, leaving him mortally wounded on a dirt path. The man had etched his name into the heavyweight books and was prepared to jostle for ascendancy against the best in the division. Police did not have a motive and there was no word yet on what kind of weapon was used or how many people were involved in Berbick's death. But there was also a dark side to Trevor Berbick. Local residents indicated that the suspect was involved in a land dispute with Berbick. One time 50 ships were in the harbour and a lot of the guys were all there for liberty. On November 26, 1986, Berbick squared off against Tyson at the Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas. Police later arrested a man and were interrogating him at the PortAntonio police station in the Portland parish, Const. 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. His alleged accomplice, Kenton Gordon, was found guilty of manslaughter. For Berbick, the loss was humiliating. You can't compare raping a 16 year old to not cleaning your room. Berbick was a preacher at the Moments of Miracles Pentecostal church in Las Vegas. He went to Canada, where he lived for a time following the 1976 Olympics. Berbick testified that the woman willingly had an affair with him. There Berbick worked at a variety of jobs to make ends meet. Trevor Berbick: Rape - Deportation And Murder 60,294 views Jun 19, 2022 1K Dislike Share Save Mightyvidz1 True Crime 406 subscribers Looking into the story of former heavyweight boxing champion. When it was over, a police escort lead Berbick back to his home in Miami, and Holmes went on to perform with his R&B band, Marmalade, that night. In December, the boxer was at the other end of an alleged plot to commit mortgage fraud. Fittingly, for Berbick, at least, the HBO card was billed Judgment Day. Without the mobility of a James Tillis or Mitch Green, the only men to have gone the distance with Tyson in 27 starts, Berbick would be more than just the 3/1 underdog looking for the upset: he would be the sporting equivalent of a ritual sacrifice. With barely a dozen fights as an amateur, Berbick turned pro on September 27, 1976, scoring a TKO in Shediac, New Brunswick, known as The Lobster Capital of the World.. To hear more, including Larry's thoughts on Berbick's death, hit the above clip. Although Mercado had been stopped in his only fights against recognisable opposition, his clubbing right hand was a legitimate weapon. There was a brief pause after Tyson connected and then Berbick plummeted, seemingly in slow motion, and crashed onto his back. Following the Ali bout, Berbick went on to win 10 of his next 12 fights, earning him a shot at Pinklon Thomas WBC heavyweight title in March 1986. Trying to intimidate Tyson, 20 years old and permanently in search of bad intentions the same way a Buddhist pursues nirvana, was bound to backfire. [citation needed]. After 15 months in prison, Berbick was deported from the U.S. After serving 15 months in prison, Berbick was deported from the United States. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Elliott: Pissed off Kings must improve in key areas to break Oilers playoff stranglehold, Shohei Ohtanis seventh home run of the season helps Angels avoid sweep, Florida Panthers upset record-setting Boston Bruins in Game 7 OT thriller, Dodgers dont need the long ball to finish sweep of Cardinals. He is a member of the BWAA and the International Boxing Research Organization. Tyson launched an overhand right that rocked the former Olympian to his core narrowly missing the blockbuster finish. But I learned a little martial arts from the Special Forces and handled him pretty well. He would score a mild upset over Melvin Foster but would go on to lose to prospects such as Jimmy Thunder and Hasim Rahman. The Jamaican power-puncher turned professional that fall and continued to ply his trade in Canada. In February 1992, Mike Tyson was convicted on rape charges and spent three years in prison. In December, he was arrested in an alleged plot to commit mortgage fraud. And Iwould hold ticket #1 to sit there and watch and taunt them. Eventually, Berbick spent 15 months in prison. Heeventually moved back to the U.S., but was deported a second time.>>. The bell ended the opening round and an agitated and furious Holmes shoved a confident Berbick in the back. For $2.1m, Berbick signed a contract that put the entire blood sport concept of risk-and-reward in stark context: he agreed to defend his WBC title against the rampaging terror, Mike Tyson. In both his early and late professional career he held the Canadian heavyweight title twice, from 1979 to 1986 and 1999 to 2001. We walked in, and there he was, large aslife. Berbick fought from 1976 to 2000, finishing with a 50-11-1 record, including 33 knockouts. The two fighters reemerged from their corners for the start of the second round, the battle-hardened Tyson stormed out oozing anger while Berbick approached the young boxer with an element of caution. The champions heart was telling him to get up but his body was instructing him to stay down. His future as a backwater professional seemed assured until Top Rank Promotions miscast him as a stepping stone for Big John Tate on the undercard of the Roberto Duran-Sugar Ray Leonard I extravaganza in Montreal. November 3, 2006 / 1:12 PM / CBS/AP. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Berbick set about trying to dictate the pace, while a young Tyson ducked and weaved forcing Berbick against the ropes while testing the iron chin of the 6-foot-2 Jamaican. 40 Years On From Muhammad Ali's Final Fight. He has been writing for Boxing News since 2015. Just as he had against Weaver a few months earlier, Tate opened a wide lead before imploding late. Against all expectations, Holmes vs Berbick had been an enthralling battle between two heavyweight behemoths. But Berbick immediately jumped to his feet. Heactually broke into my hotel room and was sitting there when my wifeand I returned from dinner. Their feud culminated in a public confrontation and brawl in 1991, which was caught on tape. Berbick wasn't a great fighter by any means of the word, but he was a kind of a link between heavyweight . You strike me as the type who may be meeting Chris Hansen during aDateline sting very soon. Two fights later, Berbick became the last man to ever professionally fight Muhammad Ali. Tyson admitted that he wanted to \"kill\" Berbick for hurting Ali in a previous fight, and he went on to speak about not being surprised about Berbick being killed by his nephew. "Years later, when I got to know him a bit, he always struck me asbeing a little wacky.". In January 2003, The Guardian reported that he was on the run from police in his hometown of Port Antonio, accused of stealing a TV and stereo equipment. To hear more, hit the above clip. The later rounds proved to be explosive with Berbick matching Holmes in every round. March 5, 2023 His work has appeared in Inside HBO Boxing, Undisputed Champion Network, Remezcla, and Boxing Digest Magazine. Even when Holmes, from the dais, insulted him, Berbick remained motionless. During his trial, Harold Berbick claimed that his uncle had physically abused his mother and that Berbick had also threatened him. I hope that 16 year old wasnt your relative ..you too sound like a psycho killer from some flop thriller movie. This was a huge opportunity and the Olympian had the chance to carve out a name for himself at the top of the heavyweight boxing ceiling. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. In 2006, former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick was discovered dead in a Jamaican church courtyard with mysterious flesh wounds to the boxers face. In 1985 . Theyd drink and let off steam, and theyd fight anybody in the streets. 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. He served only 15 months. 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. Berbick, who claimed that the incident was consensual, was sentenced to five years in prison but served just 15 months. In fact, his loss to Tyson seemed to mark a grim turning point. While Berbick never seriously threatened Holmes, he underscored his ruggedness and raised his profile enough to qualify for another significant payday. Trevor Berbick began life in Port Antonio, Jamaica, on 1 August 1954. His future, like that of so many of his contemporaries, would include drugs, prison, privation, early death. He had been living in Norwich district, a remote, farming community, in Portland parish, since 2002. She is obviously a very sick and sadistic person. In 1991, Berbick was convicted of misdemeanor assault for attacking his former business manager, who testified the boxer put a gun to her head and accused her of stealing money from him. . Fri, 03 Nov, 2006 - 18:24 A 20-year-old nephew of former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick and another man have been charged with beating him to death, police said today. He was again deported from the U.S. on 2 December 2002. In June 1980, however, Tate was on the comeback trail, looking to put the Weaver loss behind him. 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. Already manifesting symptoms of his future affliction (Parkinsonism), Ali was not fit to enter the ring again. 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. Tyson explained that Cus wanted to capitalize on a big fighter, which Mike was becoming, and he thinks Cus would've gotten him a lot more endorsements. They were interrogated at the Port Antonio police station in Portland early on the morning of 29 October. Legal Statement. Thats the story everyone knows. En 1992 , fue condenado en Florida a cinco aos de prisin -cumpli una condena de 15 meses- por querer abusar sexualmente . Despite competing in just 11 amateur bouts, he represented Jamaica at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, losing to eventual silver medalist, Mercia Simon. A sports enthusiast, avid listener & inexplicit reader. Berbick captured the WBC heavyweight title off Pinklon Thomas in March 1986 and caused a swing in the boxing circuit. In fact, not ever. Both were sentenced on January 11, 2008. His first instinct was to scramble to his feet, but his equilibrium was haywire, and he staggered across the ring, tumbling into the ropes, where an errant forearm knocked a ringside photographer out of position. [9] He was buried at the Berbick Family Plot Norwich Portland, Jamaica On April 11, 1981, Berbick became the first title challenger to last the distance against Holmes, but that was as much credit as he could wrangle from the loss. His final professional record was 49 wins (33 by knockout), 11 losses, and 1 draw. Berbick was ordered deported from the U.S. to Jamaica after serving 15months in prison on those convictions, but before the order could beenforced he returned to Canada, living in Montreal and laterVancouver. Five months later, Berbick was convicted of sexual battery in the case involving his babysitter. Berbick continued to make the champions plight harder, landing a plethora of stiff jabs disturbing the fighters equilibrium. Caesars Palace erupted in scenes of ecstasy with the crowd on their feet as the two heavyweights traded leather refusing to retreat. KINGSTON, Jamaica - A 20-year-old nephew of former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick has been charged with killing him, police said Friday. Eileen, I agree, hope it was slow and painful. The following year, he was convicted in Florida of raping a family baby sitter and was sentenced to four years in prison. Market data provided by Factset. He lost a unanimous decision but was the first fighter to go the distance with Holmes in a title fight. But what most people might not know is that just two weeks later, Trevor Berbick was convicted of rape as well. Berbick claimed that the stolen goods had been stashed at his residence without his knowledge. Harold . The upset win over Tate eventually earned Berbick a shot against Larry Holmes, the only consistent heavyweight of the early 1980s. Part 5: https://youtu.be/eFE4kjKdG5sPart 1: https://youtu.be/0fXoOz9MIRo--------In this clip, Larry Holmes opens about beating Trevor Berbick, who Larry explained he didn't like because Berbick disrespected not only him, but his wife and friends. The brawlers opportunity came when he earned a shot at Larry Holmes heavyweight crown in April 1981. A mad scramble ensued before police officers could separate the impromptu combatants. His inaugural pro-journey started with a bang, as he went on to win 18 of his first 20 fights, establishing the foundation to challenge higher calibre opponents. In the second, a wobbly Berbick shuddered every time Tyson connected, until, finally, barely 20 seconds into the round, a barrage of punches floored him. Harold Berbick would be convicted of the murder and given a life sentence while Gordon was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 14 years in prison. He suffered multiple blows to the head and died at the scene. Almost knocking down Thomas in the 11th round with a powerful left hook. KINGSTON, Jamaica - Former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick was found dead in a church courtyard Saturday with chop wounds to his head in a suspected homicide. He sustained repeated blows to the head and died at the scene. He wentto Canada, where he lived for a time following the 1976 Olympics. Two minutes into the round, Tyson opened up with a combination as Berbick tried to crowd him in centre ring. 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! His shock win over Thomas, who had been a 6/1 favorite going into the fight, set Berbick on the path to an astronomical payday. [7] On December 20, 2007, Harold Berbick was found guilty of the murder of his uncle. The talented fighter was swiftly selected to represent Jamaica in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. In 1982, he beat undefeated prospect Greg Page, and in 1984 he moved to Miramar, Florida and signed with promoter Don King. By Carlos Acevedo, Chris Eubank Jnr vs. Conor Benn is officially OFF, Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn: The story of a grim day for British boxing, Chris Eubank Jnr says there was no phone call with Conor Benn, but does expect their fight to still go ahead. Even as a rising contender he had been considered eccentric, and it was clear that the outcome of his performances hinged on his psychological outlook before the opening bell rang. You should have never brought it up then, since it is irrelevant tothe topic at hand. 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. In no time, Larry Holmes returned to the lobby and pummelled Berbick through the doors of the Diplomat and into the parking lot, where, for the moment, at least, the commotion was over. Berbick continued to fight, with his final bout being a 2000 win over Canadian journeyman Shane Sutcliffe. The woman said Berbick had driven to her apartment from his home near Ft. Lauderdale, ostensibly to pay her $480 in baby-sitting fees. His 50-11-1 record included 33 KOs andvictories over the likes of Iran Barkley, Greg Page and John Tate.Among his losses were those to Buster Douglas, Renaldo Snipes, LarryHolmes and Lyle McDowell, who decisioned him for the lightly regardedInternational Boxing Organization title in Edmonton in 1997. 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. Whatever theory people believe the man was still murdered in cold blood by his nephew and accomplice. Rob Steen. He was finally deported to Jamaica after returning to Florida in 2002. 14 April 2012 A woman involved in a long-running land dispute with former heavyweight boxing champion Trevor Berbick has been detained for questioning in connection with his death, police. 12:22 BST 31 Oct 2006 Berbick, always a rebel at heart, had other things in mind. Trevor Berbick 1954 81 - 2006 1028 2011 (83) (81kg)1 [1] 1976 1979 1981 411 WBC 1981721