03/22/1986 - Trevor Berbick
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 but lost it in his first defense later that year to Mike Tyson. Berbick was the last boxer to face Muhammad Ali, defeating him in 1981 by unanimous decision.
As an amateur, Berbick won a bronze medal at the 1975 Pan American Games in the heavyweight division. He represented Jamaica at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where he lost to eventual silver medalist Mircea Şimon. He later settled in Canada, where he twice held the Canadian heavyweight title—from 1979 to 1986 and again from 1999 to 2001. Berbick is the only boxer to have faced Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, and Mike Tyson.
Amateur Career
At 22, Berbick entered the Olympics with just 11 amateur bouts, showing promise despite his inexperience. A year earlier, he had earned Pan American bronze after losing to Michael Dokes in the semifinals. Veteran heavyweight Leroy Caldwell later described Berbick as the most talented opponent he ever faced.
Professional Career
After the Olympics, Berbick moved to Canada and began his professional career in Halifax, winning his first 11 fights (10 by knockout) before suffering his first loss to Bernardo Mercado in 1979. In 1980, he scored a major upset by knocking out former champion John Tate, earning a title shot against Larry Holmes in April 1981. He lost a unanimous decision over 15 rounds. Later that year, he defeated Muhammad Ali in Ali’s final fight.
In 1982, Berbick beat undefeated Greg Page. Two years later, he relocated to Florida, signed with Don King, and recorded wins over Mitch Green and David Bey to earn another title opportunity.
On 22 March 1986, Berbick upset Pinklon Thomas to win the WBC heavyweight championship by unanimous decision. Despite Thomas being a strong favorite, Berbick wore him down with pressure and strength. He nearly floored Thomas in the 11th round, and won on scores of 115–113 (twice) and 115–114.
On 22 November 1986, Berbick made his first defense against Mike Tyson, who was seeking to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Tyson dominated, dropping Berbick twice in the second round. On his second knockdown, Berbick repeatedly tried to rise but fell each time, prompting referee Mills Lane to stop the fight.
In 1991, Berbick appeared in a UWFi “boxer vs. wrestler” bout in Japan against Nobuhiko Takada. He refused to engage under the unfamiliar rules and left the ring, resulting in a default loss.
Berbick resumed his boxing career in 1994, appearing on USA Tuesday Night Fights. He upset Melvin Foster but lost to rising contenders Jimmy Thunder and Hasim Rahman. His final fight was in 2000, a decision win over Shane Sutcliffe. A subsequent CAT scan revealed a blood clot in his brain, and his license was revoked. He retired with a record of 49 wins (33 KOs), 11 losses, and 1 draw.
Outside the Ring
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Berbick trained young fighters in New Westminster, Canada, and also served as a preacher at the Moments of Miracles Pentecostal Church in Las Vegas.
Legal Troubles
In 1992, Berbick was convicted of raping his children’s babysitter and sentenced to five years in prison, serving 15 months. He violated parole in 1997 and was deported to Canada, where he later lost his residency status and was ordered back to Jamaica in 1999. He successfully appealed to remain in Canada later that year.
Feud with Larry Holmes
Berbick had a long-running feud with Holmes, whom he fought in 1981. Their animosity culminated in a 1991 street brawl, caught on camera, where Holmes famously leapt off a parked car onto Berbick during a heated confrontation.
Retirement
Berbick retired in Florida with his wife and four children and began training fighters at Kenny Barrett’s Gym in Tamarac. His legal and immigration problems continued, and he was deported from the United States again on 2 December 2002.
