Trevor Berbick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Trevor Berbick
Trevor Berbick
Statistics
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2 in
Reach	78 in
Born	(1954-08-01)1 August 1954 Norwich, Port Antonio, Colony of Jamaica, British Empire
Died	28 October 2006(2006-10-28) (aged 52) Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	61
Wins	49
Wins by KO	29
Losses	11
Draws	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  Jamaica Pan American Games Bronze 1975 Mexico City Heavyweight

Trevor Berbick (born August 1, 1954 – died October 28, 2006) was a professional boxer from Jamaica. He competed in boxing from 1976 to 2000. Trevor Berbick became the WBC heavyweight champion in 1986. He won this title by beating Pinklon Thomas. Later that same year, he lost the title to Mike Tyson. Berbick is also famous for being the last boxer to fight the legendary Muhammad Ali. He defeated Ali in 1981.

As an amateur boxer, Berbick earned a bronze medal. This was in the heavyweight division at the 1975 Pan American Games. During his career, he held the Canadian heavyweight title twice. He held it from 1979 to 1986 and again from 1999 to 2001. Trevor Berbick is the only boxer who fought three famous champions: Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, and Mike Tyson.

Trevor Berbick's Amateur Boxing Career

When he was 22, Trevor Berbick represented Jamaica. He competed as a heavyweight boxer at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada. He had only fought 11 amateur matches before the Olympics. This lack of experience showed when he lost to Mircea Şimon from Romania. Şimon later won the silver medal. Even so, Berbick showed great potential as a young heavyweight. The year before, at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City, Berbick won a bronze medal. He lost to future heavyweight champion Michael Dokes in the semi-finals.

Another boxer, Leroy Caldwell, fought many top heavyweights of that time. He said that Berbick was the most talented opponent he ever faced.

Trevor Berbick's Professional Boxing Journey

After the Olympics, Berbick left Jamaica. He moved to Montreal and started his professional boxing career in Halifax. He won his first 11 fights, with 10 of them by knockout. His first professional loss was to Bernardo Mercado in 1979. Berbick had beaten Mercado easily as an amateur. But in their professional fight, Berbick was knocked out in the first round.

In 1980, Berbick surprised many by knocking out former champion John Tate. This win earned him a chance to fight for a title against Larry Holmes in 1981. Berbick lost this fight after 15 rounds. In his next fight, he famously defeated 39-year-old Muhammad Ali. This was Ali's last professional fight.

In 1982, Berbick beat the undefeated boxer Greg Page. In 1984, he moved to Miramar, Florida, and joined promoter Don King. He then won fights against Mitch "Blood" Green and David Bey. These wins led him to another chance at a world title.

Winning the WBC Heavyweight Title

Trevor Berbick became the WBC world heavyweight champion on March 22, 1986. He won by beating Pinklon Thomas in a unanimous decision. Thomas was expected to win easily, but Berbick used his strength and speed to wear him down. Berbick almost knocked Thomas down in the 11th round. Both boxers showed how tough the fight was. Berbick had marks around his eyes, and Thomas had a cut. The judges all scored the fight for Berbick.

However, his time as champion was short.

Losing the Title to Mike Tyson

On November 22, 1986, Berbick defended his title for the first time. He fought Mike Tyson, who was trying to become the youngest heavyweight champion ever. Tyson was only 20 years old. In the second round, Tyson knocked Berbick down quickly. Berbick was overwhelmed by Tyson's power. He went down again later in the round. Berbick tried to stand up twice but fell both times. The referee stopped the fight, and Berbick lost his championship.

Later Career and Retirement

In 1991, Berbick went to Japan for a special "boxer vs. wrestler" match. He fought Nobuhiko Takada. Berbick later said he was tricked because the rules allowed Takada to kick him below the belt. Berbick refused to fight back and kept complaining to the referee. Takada won the match when Berbick left the ring.

Berbick returned to boxing in 1994. He won against Melvin Foster but lost to younger boxers like Jimmy Thunder and Hasim Rahman. His last fight was in 2000 against Shane Sutcliffe, which he won. After this fight, doctors found a blood clot in his brain. His boxing license was then taken away. His final boxing record was 49 wins (33 by knockout), 11 losses, and 1 draw.

Life Outside the Boxing Ring

Trevor Berbick was a preacher at a church in Las Vegas.

Retirement and Later Years

Berbick retired in Florida to be with his wife and four children. He also had three children from his first marriage. He started training boxers at a gym in Tamarac.

Death

Trevor Berbick died in Norwich, Jamaica, on October 28, 2006. He was buried in his family's plot in Norwich, Port Antonio.

Professional Boxing Record

See also

In Spanish: Trevor Berbick para niños