Mike Bernardo facts for kids

Michael Shawn Bernardo (born 28 July 1969 – died 14 February 2012) was a famous South African kickboxer and boxer. He was from Cape Town. In Japan, people knew him as Beru-chan because he took part in the K-1 World Grand Prix fights there since 1994.

Mike Bernardo won many important fights. He beat famous fighters like Mirko Cro Cop, Andy Hug, Francisco Filho, Branko Cikatic, Stan Longinidis, and Gary Goodridge. He also beat K-1 legend Peter Aerts three times in a row.

About Mike Bernardo

Mike Bernardo was born in Fishhoek, near Cape Town, South Africa, on 28 July 1969. His family had Italian and English roots. His real last name was Barnardo, but most people called him Bernardo.

When he was younger, Mike was tall but not very strong. Bullies often picked on him at school. To learn how to defend himself, Mike started taking Kyokushin karate lessons when he was about 12 or 13 years old. He later said that after learning martial arts, he was able to stand up to the bullies.

Mike loved sports and tried many different ones. He started surfing at age six and played rugby. However, he often got into fights during rugby games. This made him realize that fighting sports were a better path for him.

Kickboxing Career

Mike Bernardo started his kickboxing training with Steve Kalakoda, who was a former boxing champion. Mike met Kalakoda during his time in the military, where Kalakoda was a physical training instructor. Mike quickly became known as a powerful fighter who could knock out his opponents.

After fighting in South Africa, Italy, and Russia, Mike was invited to fight in the K-1 tournaments. He made his first K-1 appearance at the K-1 World Grand Prix in 1995. In a surprising win, he defeated Andy Hug in the third round.

One of his biggest achievements happened early in his K-1 career. In 1996, Mike competed in the K-1 World Grand Prix for the second time. He faced Peter Aerts, a very strong fighter, in the first round. Just like he did against Hug, Mike caused a big upset by knocking out the former K-1 champion. Mike made it to the finals that year but lost to Andy Hug in a tough fight.

Another major success for Mike was in 2000 when he won the K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka, Japan. That night, he beat Jörgen Kruth, Andrew Thompson, and then Mirko Cro Cop in the final. He won all three of those fights by knockout.

Even though he never won the main K-1 World Grand Prix title, Mike Bernardo showed he could compete with the best fighters. He fought many of K-1's top stars, including Jerome Le Banner, Andy Hug, Peter Aerts, Ernesto Hoost, and Francisco Filho. Many of these famous fighters were knocked out by Mike at some point in their careers. Mike retired from K-1 in 2004 due to a neck injury.

Boxing Career

Besides his kickboxing career, Mike Bernardo also became a professional boxer. He had his first professional boxing match on 28 February 1993. He won that fight by knocking out his opponent in the third round.

After several wins, Mike won the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) heavyweight title in May 2000. He defeated Daniel Jerling by knockout in the sixth round. In June 2001, Mike defended his WBF title against Peter McNeeley in Cape Town. He knocked McNeeley out in only 41 seconds. In May 2002, Mike lost his title because he had not fought for a long time. Most of his boxing matches took place in South Africa.

Religion

Mike Bernardo was a deeply religious person. His faith was very important to him throughout his fighting career and his life. He often prayed before fights for safety and believed that with faith, people could achieve anything.

Death

Mike Bernardo passed away on 14 February 2012, when he was 42 years old. The reason for his death was not publicly known. He is survived by his long-term partner, Claire Oschmann, and their two children, Kai and Sascha.

Titles and Accomplishments

Mike Bernardo achieved many titles and awards during his career:

• Professional Kickboxing
  • World Olympic Kickboxing Super Heavyweight winner
  • 2004 World Kickboxing Association Muay Thai Super Heavyweight World champion
  • 1998 W.A.K.O. Pro Muay Thai Super Heavyweight World champion
  • 1996 World Kickboxing Association Muay Thai Super Heavyweight World champion
• K-1
  • 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix in Nagoya 3rd place
  • 2000 K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka winner
  • 1998 K-1 World Grand Prix 3rd place
  • 1996 K-1 World Grand Prix runner up
  • 1995 K-1 World Grand Prix 3rd place
• Professional boxing
  • W.B.F. World Heavyweight champion

Fight Records

Mike Bernardo had an impressive career in kickboxing, boxing, and mixed martial arts.

Kickboxing Record

Boxing Record

MMA Record

See also

• List of K-1 events
• List of K-1 champions
• List of male kickboxers