Heavyweight Boxing Champion. He fought in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and stayed there to turn professional, winning his first 11 fights (10 by knockout) before losing for the first time to Bernardo Mercado in 1979. Berbick lost a title fight to Larry Holmes by unanimous decision in 1981. Two fights later, he beat Muhammad Ali in Ali's last fight. In 1984, he moved to Florida and signed with promoter Don King. Berbick won the WBC world heavyweight title by upsetting Pinklon Thomas in March, 1986. On November 22, in his first title defense, the fight was stopped in the second round after he was knocked down three times by 20-year-old Mike Tyson. Berbick continued to fight, with his final bout being a 2000 win over Canadian journeyman Shane Sutcliffe. After this fight a CAT scan revealed a blood clot on Berbick's brain, and his boxing license was revoked. His record was 50 wins (33 by knockout), 11 losses, and 1 draw. Berbick was arrested several times and served 15 months for sexually assaulting the family babysitter in 1992. In 1997, he violated his parole and was deported. He later reentered the US and worked as a trainer and coach. His problems with the law continued and he was again deported in 2002. He was murdered by an assailant wielding a hatchet or machete who inflicted a fatal wound to Berbick's head. His 20 year old nephew Harold Berbick and Kenton Gordon, an 18 year old friend of Harold's were charged with the crime. They were convicted in December, 2007, and sentenced to life in prison.
Heavyweight Boxing Champion. He fought in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and stayed there to turn professional, winning his first 11 fights (10 by knockout) before losing for the first time to Bernardo Mercado in 1979. Berbick lost a title fight to Larry Holmes by unanimous decision in 1981. Two fights later, he beat Muhammad Ali in Ali's last fight. In 1984, he moved to Florida and signed with promoter Don King. Berbick won the WBC world heavyweight title by upsetting Pinklon Thomas in March, 1986. On November 22, in his first title defense, the fight was stopped in the second round after he was knocked down three times by 20-year-old Mike Tyson. Berbick continued to fight, with his final bout being a 2000 win over Canadian journeyman Shane Sutcliffe. After this fight a CAT scan revealed a blood clot on Berbick's brain, and his boxing license was revoked. His record was 50 wins (33 by knockout), 11 losses, and 1 draw. Berbick was arrested several times and served 15 months for sexually assaulting the family babysitter in 1992. In 1997, he violated his parole and was deported. He later reentered the US and worked as a trainer and coach. His problems with the law continued and he was again deported in 2002. He was murdered by an assailant wielding a hatchet or machete who inflicted a fatal wound to Berbick's head. His 20 year old nephew Harold Berbick and Kenton Gordon, an 18 year old friend of Harold's were charged with the crime. They were convicted in December, 2007, and sentenced to life in prison.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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