Ex-Champ Berbick Killed in Jamaica

Former heavyweight champ Trevor Berbick, 52, has died from chop wounds to the head after being attacked in a church courtyard in his native Jamaica. Berbick was reportedly wounded with either a hatchet or a machete after attending a party. Police have arrested a suspect but do not yet have a motive or know if multiple people were involved in the attack.

Berbick fought professionally from 1976 to 2000 and had a career record of 50-11-1 with 33 KOs. Highlights included defeating Muhammad Ali in Ali's last fight in 1981 and taking the WBC heavyweight title from Pinklon Thomas in 1986. Berbick lost the title in his first defense when a 20-year-old Mike Tyson knocked him out to become the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history. Berbick might be best remembered for falling across the ring several times while trying to get up after being knocked down twice in the second and final round of that fight.

Berbick's career also included wins over John Tate, Greg Page and Iran Barkley, and losses to Larry Holmes, Renaldo Snipes, Buster Douglas and Hasim Rahman.

Outside the ring, Berbick repeatedly found himself in trouble with the law and, after serving 15 months in prison, was deported from the United States. After living in Canada for a while, Berbick returned to the U.S. and was deported a second time. Berbick finally settled in a remote farming community in Jamaica.

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