Trevor Berbick Was No Legend
By Michael Woods October 30th, 2006Try a little perspective when it comes to Trevor Berbick
What will they say about me when I’m gone?
I saw one write-up that described Berbick as a “legend,” and that designation isn’t even close to being true.
After debuting in 1976, Berbick’s first loss came to Bernardo Mercado, a decent Colombian, in 1979.
He lost to Larry Holmes in 1981, so a bid for even semi-legendary status was derailed there.
Then, Berbick got a crack at the beyond-shot Muhammad Ali eight months later in the Bahamas. Go now, and watch that fight. You’ll see that Ali, far from being steamrolled by Berbick, wasn’t all that bad in losing a UD10.
Today, Ali would have been emboldened by his outing, and fought for another five years or so.
Berbick lost successive outings to Renaldo Snipes, no slouch, and ST Gordon, a bit more of a slouch, in 1982 and ‘83.
His WBC title win came over Pinklon Thomas in 1986, in a tightly contested bout. He kept the belt warm for young Mike Tyson, who destructed and destroyed big Berbick in Vegas in a two-round assault.
Subsequent losses came to Carl Williams, Buster Douglas, Jimmy Thunder, Hasim Rahman, Lyle McDowell (!) and Tony LaRosa (!!). Not a legendary record, I’m afraid.
Barry McGuigan says he thinks Berbick would have held on to the belt for a longer spell if he was fighting in his prime in the present day, and I must disagree. He was big, but awkward – in short, he was no pugilist specialist.
It’s a shame the man got the bad end of a machete, but this was no choirboy, so I won’t be shedding excess tears on the man. Nor will I be participating in a most common practice, and take part in building up his status posthumously.
October 30th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Yo Woods, listen up… how cold hearted can you possibly be… so what, some idiot called Berbick a “legend”, who cares, I know some people who still claim that Elvis isn’t dead. I’m very happy that you know everyone that Berbick has lost to, good for you, do you want a cookie or something? Who are you to state - on a nationally recoginzed website nonetheless - that Berbick was no choirboy? If you’re not gonna be upset about it, that’s fine… but the fact of the matter is that a human life has been ended, and somewhere, people are mourning, more or less likely some people who will eventually read this. How dare you inslut their feelings like that. Your little blurb is disgraceful, unnecessary, and flat out unprofessional. So have fun being you, if you happen to change your personality completely for the better, let me know, maybe I will read your articles again.
- Superman
October 30th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Superman–Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
An obituary isn’t meant to be an airbrushed account of a person’s life–I stand by my post, Berbick was no legend and no choirboy.
You condone cleaning up someone’s resume in retropsect simply because they died? News flash, we all die. And some of us will deserve a glowing obit and others, like myself, have lived a mixed bag, and a truthful account of our lives would reflect that. I didn’t even delve into Berbick’s rape conviction, OK?
So why don’t you save your passionate outreach for someone who deserves it a little bit more? I feel for any family left behind, that should go without saying, but since you attack me and try to portray me as a souless monster, I’ll throw it in there.
Foremost, I am for truth in journalism, because if we don’t have truth, it’s all fantasy, and pointless. I was being unprofessional how exactly? By trying to shoot for the truth? You will not receive an apology from me on this one, and if you are so sensitive that this attempt to at least temper some incorrect assertions and opinions about this boxer, then that’s on you.
Points, though, for your fabulous misspelling of “insult.”
PS Simmer down, Supe, and come back later in the week for pieces on Sergei Liakhovich and Floyd Jr and Senior……
October 30th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
OK, Berbick wasn’t a great boxer and he wasn’t a great person. Fine. The guy got killed horribly, so let the man RIP.
October 30th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Ok so Trevor could hardly be called a legend but i remember him back in the day and he was definatly no mug, and a battler. I think if he would have been on top of the pile if he was in his prime with the 2006 crop
October 30th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
i must admit, i agree with the posters . i detect a bad vibe in your column regardless what you said its how you said it. bad infererence.
October 30th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Berbick was possibly killed for continued threats against a woman neighbor in his rural island township (Radio Jamaica).
He did time and got the boot from the USA for sexual assault of a woman. When his string played out in the ring, evidence suggests his aggression/energy were misdirected. Instead of climbing into the ring as a trainer and coach of young Jamaican boxing hopefuls- it appears he took the rage and bully approach to life and clearly against women.
Since most folks can’t stand up to a former heavyweight champ in a fistfight - he got a machete in the back of the skull, quite possibly from the 20-year-old son of the threatened woman (Radio Jamaica).
That’s truth in journalism. As for garrubal’s post - Berbick is certainly resting - but it will never be in peace. Don’t be surprised if the machete hacker gets to walk on self defense.
October 30th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
Hello. My name is Anita Berbick. I am one of Trevor’s 3 daughters.
I can not believe that you think you have the right to say anything so derogatory about my father. I am disgusted by this and feel completely repulsed that someone could write the words you did. I am very sorry to tell you that, in my opinion,your journalism would be best suited to one of those rag magazines that speak half truths and are purly in existance for “shock value”. Any journalist with respect and common values, would have the decency to write a more compassionate article. You don’t know my Father. And you definately don’t know his story well enough to speak with such inaccuracy. I know the truth. Let me tell you something; my father was an incredible man, and no one on this Earth is perfect so who the hell are you to say or judge him?
A true Journalist knows when he has cross the line and I’m here to say that you have, to me, my mother, and the rest of my siblings that read this article. You wrote, “It’s a shame the man got the bad end of a machete, but this was no choirboy”. Do you realize how much a statement like that hurts, to those that REALLY knew and loved this man? I know one things for sure. The spit bucket boy has more class than you do. So go on, and do something meaningless like point out that I may have spelled something wrong, or that I’m not really Trevor’s daughter. The fact remains, I am. The fact remains my father was a magnanimous man, that always helped others. The fact remains that you must be a vile, loathsome man who’s abandoned all concept of reality and respect - especially to make such disparaging remarks. I say “How dare you”. My father would say “thats not nice, but May God Bless You anyway”.
Sincerely Anita Berbick
October 30th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Ms. Berbick,
I don’t think Mr. Woods was trying to minimize your loss, but rather put his career in a less dewey-eyed persepctive. Way too many people toss around words like “great” or “legendary” way too many times, especially after they pass. Mr. Woods was not writing about your father but about the boxer and the public man.
October 30th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Mr Woods, you come off sounding a little harsh and you oviously offended people as you came off as insensitive and heartless to his family. That said, I can appreciate the fact that you were expressing an opinion that I happen to agree with you on. Unfortunately, when someone passes, our society feels as if they need to romanticize the life of the deceased. Peony is exactly right in that everyone starts throwing around words like “great’ and “legendary” when these words truly do not apply. Berbick was a “good” boxer and as a public figure, let just say he left alot to be desired. The man was a convicted rapist.
Ms. Berbick, my sympathy to you and your family for you loss. Unfortunately, everyone did not know “Your Dad”, except for the image he portrayed in public.
October 30th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Trevor RIP.. at least wait a week or so until you rip him huh Woods?
October 30th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE ANYONE, GOOD OR BAD. THE FACT IS A HUMAN BEING IS DEAD. A HORRIBLE DEATH. LET HIM R.I.P.
October 30th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
Anita–Did I think that Trevor Berbick’s daughter would be reading this blog post? Not in a million years. Should I have considered the possibility? Yes, I should have.
Certainly it is understandable to read about the brutal nature of your father’s demise characterized in a flippant manner and to react angrily.
For that tone that I applied, I apologize to you and your family.
Often in obituaries, the media picks and chooses the best portions of a person’s life and presents them, and skims over the less sordid aspects of a life. I tried, but perhaps didn’t hammer home enough, that my own foibles in life have been considerable, so I cannot rightfully expect a hagiographic rendering in the newspaper when my time comes. I tried to imply that I don’t hold myself on a pedestal of righteousness.
Your father’s run ins with the authorities are a matter of public record, as is to be expected when someone becomes a public figure. Out of respect for you and your family, and the immense pain you are feeling, I won’t delve into that. So to you, your father was a maganimous person, and I’m certain, like all of us, he had his different sides. You saw the good, and are understandably angered when the negative material is mentioned. I would be too if it were my dad. I didn’t read about the good sides of your dad, so I’m not left with the more complete picture of the man that you own.
To give you an idea of my mindset when I wrote the original post: In our society, in our nation, as we try to make sense of what some of us see as a senseless war, and see politicians’ incompetence result in considerable loss of lives during a natural disaster (Katrina summer 2005), I am struck by the absence of truthfulness.
Our press too often, instead of taking hard, real look at a situation, takes the easy way, and refuses to consider hard, scary truths. They give free passes to politicians because they worship their power and influence. That’s some of what was going on in my mind when I wrote the post on your dad. Sometimes, I ponder and share what’s going on in my head outisde the world of boxing, and it filters in to my boxing coverage. I think that a decent segment of our readership knows that and many enjoy it. Some don’t.
Often, I struggle with our societies’ obsession and reverence for athletes and actors and singers, which is quite often based on blind adoration. I don’t think that’s right. I’d like to see the unheralded folks, and quiet striving pillars of society get their due, more often. So I was trying to make a point, in a short space, when a more thoughtful, longer treatment might have been more appropriate.
My original post came off to some as hard-hearted, and I understand why, much better in retrospect, because of the tangible fury in your repsonse to me, and in other readers’ followups.
Unfortunately, I hurt your feelings along the way, and I wish I hadn’t.
I’m sorry.
October 30th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
So many people want to remember those who pass for only good things. Words like legend get thrown around all too much, but I understand the reason that some journos are compelled to celebrate the lives of those who pass away while others seek a more truthful account of life. Woods account of Berbicks legacy was right on. Perhaps his choice of wording at the end is questionable but Anita isn’t trashing a journalist you dont know just as bad? Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Blogs are a forum for opinion. This is not a column. I don’t believe for one minute that Woods is a “vile, loathsome man who’s abandoned all concept of reality and respect.” Perhaps Woods didn’t mean any harm, or perhaps this is what he believes. Either way I doubt he was trying to insult Berbick’s loved ones, just paint a different picture.
Woods may not have personally known Berbick, (perhaps he did) but is this blog grounds for crying blasphemy? If that were the case then throw away heaps of obits flooding the sportspages about Berbick by journos who also never knew him.
Does a glowing memorial by a stranger hold more truth because is it happy and shiny? It may be easier to swallow but life should not be candy coated.
October 30th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Hmmm,
Well Mikey, it seems to have taken quite a few more words and more careful phrasing to take back some of the “tone” of what you said in your article. A suggestion would be to wait a bit and then moderate what you say in the first place. “…not in a million years…” Yes in a couple of days.
Lesson learned? or are you still more concerned with defending your original position?
October 30th, 2006 at 8:10 pm
See, now didn’t I say that someone who is in mourning for Trevor Berbick would likely end up reading this pathetic article. At least you finally sucked it up and said those two words which are probably the two hardest words in your vocabulary “I’m sorry.” Good for you. Unfourtunately, you had to rip apart a man and INSULT (is that better for you?) the feelings of his still emotionally shaken family before you could do it.
Ms. Berbick, I am very sorry for your loss. If we all sit down and look at it, why can’t your father be a legend? He gave Mike Tyson his first world title, and was the last man to be in the ring with, not to mention defeat Muhammad Ali. He passed the 50 win mark, and had been in there with several world-class opponents. A legend is open for interpertation. Just because a person like Woods doesn’t think your father was a legend, doesn’t mean that he isn’t one to you, or many other people for that matter.
RIP Trevor Berbick
- Superman
October 30th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Good Job Mr. Woods. You’re Learning. Keep up the good work. Good Criticism
is the same as Bad Criticism. By the way didn’t read the article just the comments.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:21 am
Give me a break, it is not about the deceased, it is about the grieving family. Call it the truth or whatever, but it is still kicking others when they are at their lowest and that should never be accepted by decent society. The result is the same regardless of intentions. If it is the truth, it really didn’t have to be said.
Please keep in mind that the heavyweights were loaded with talent at that time and Trevor’s record really wasn’t that bad when you consider the talent pool. We definitely should not judge him by today’s standards.
October 31st, 2006 at 7:04 am
Hmm…Michael Woods,,,cant wait to read your obituary,,by the look of it i dont think ill be the only one. It’ll probably read better than any article you wrote and please more readers likewise.
When your journalistic self destructive career in the states is over,,please dont come to the UK.
October 31st, 2006 at 7:39 am
The wrong article at the wrong time.
And it is not even an honest assessment of Berbick’s boxing credentials. What about his wins over Greg Page and John Tate ? They aren’t even mentioned, though they were perhaps the two results that first put Berbick on the boxing map, excepting the fights with Ali and Holmes.
Tate and Page were highly-touted top Americans, and favoured to beat Berbick.
Page was unbeaten and being touted as “the next Muhammad Ali” ….
Mr.Woods concentrates only on the losses, showing his bias.
AND - I repeat - THE TIMING OF THIS ARTICLE IS AWFUL.
Tasteless, classless, crass.
October 31st, 2006 at 9:22 am
Michael Katz goes much further in to Berbick’s catalogue of misdemeanor and ‘craziness’ at B-T.com, but adds a soft cuddle to the story by way of caveat, is he more guilty of an unsavory summary of Berbick’s half century on the planet? I think Michael Woods is being flamed a little too hard here.
Berbick wasn’t a legend. He was a leading heavyweight contender in a shallow era. That was the point Michael drives at, we all pick up the rose tinted glasses at times like this and come over misty eyed about the fighters ability and contribution.
Will we look back and regard Hasim Rahman as a legend of the ring?
The timing may be a little injudicious, but as a journalist Michael has to be topical - no point being opinionated in three weeks time - the opinion is no longer relevant.
Of course, my sympathy is with those who will miss Berbick in their daily lives. And whilst I don’t recognise Berbick as a ring legend, he features in two iconic boxing moments - extinguishing the flame on one era and turning up five years later to provide opposition for the beginning of the next.
So his place in my psyche is assured.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:07 am
I would like to say that i’m new to this website, so i went back and read a sampling of your previous articles ( about 15 ), Michael. I was impressed with the overall quality of the writing and while of course didn’t always agree with the conclusions, found your points insightful.
You certainly seem to have stepped in it this time though.
Cheers.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:33 am
Harsh,very harsh,it’s one thing to try and argue the point that you dont feel Mr Berbick had earned the “legendary” status that many are bandying about,but the way your article was structured seemed very disrespectful to me,you later on mention his problems outside of the ring as some sort of defence as to why Trevor doesn’t deserve the legend tag.I think at best your article was a hurried non thought out piece,or at worse,the words of someone trying to get a reaction from the readers.Having read a few of your articles before I like to think that you are guilty of the first one.I understand the anger a few of the people who posted responses feel,here in England we show more respect for those who are grieving a sad loss.Maybe you should of just kept your piece focused solely on his boxing career.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Mr Woods.When you were back-pedaling in your response to Ms.Berbick,I was curious as to your choice of words,when you wrote how the media “picks the best portions of a persons life, and presents them and skims over the “less sordid” aspects of a life” Did you not mean “more sordid”? I was also curious about your feelings regarding TRUTH in the media and yet you admit that you didn’t read about the “good sides” of the man.It doesn’t sound like you looked very hard,but had no hesitation to write a one-sided,very biased article.I fail to see where the truth lies in that kind of writing? In the future, I suggest that when your thoughts and opinions on politics, “filters” into your boxing articles;perhaps you should plug the filter, or plug your mouth. My sincerest condolences to Ms.Berbick and her family during this time of tragedy. I had the pleasure of meeting your father on several occasions Anita, and he was always gracious and pleasant to my cousin and I. Take Care and Mr Woods, take notice of your own short-comings, instead of focusing on those who are no longer here to defend themselves
October 31st, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Why not?
October 31st, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Here is the TRUTH:
In 1991: Berbick was CONVICTED of misdemeanor assault for attacking his former business manager, who testified the boxer put a gun to her head.
In 1992: He was CONVICTED of raping a family baby sitter and sentenced to four years in prison. He also was CONVICTED in ‘92 of second-degree grand theft.
He was deported from the US.
Where is the logic here. He is a repeat criminal who was a menace to society. Why are any of you turning a blind eye to that?
The timing of the article wasn’t great, wait a week, and state your case more sensitively next time, but the truth is the truth. And too often we ALLOW athletes/celebs to get away with murder while everyone else (the working man) pays the price.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:44 pm
I’m not a reader of your column, I just happened to click on your Trevor Berbick story. Quite rightly, you have been put in your place. Your egotistical writing is matched only by your nonentity status (something you should bear in mind the next time you happen to write about someone who was good enough, at least, to win a WBC heavyweigt title). And for pointing out to one of your readers that they spelt a word wrong, you get no credit. You, sir, only a couple of weeks ago wrote that Joe Calzaghe made the 18th defense of his world title against Sakio Bika when, in fact, it was his 19th, as any good and proper journalist would know. I didn’t read that column either. I doubt if I would find anything educational, insightful or entertaining in it, particularly when you cannot even get your facts right. Bear in mind in the future, too, that Barry McGuigan’s opinion carries considerably more weight and credibility than yours. I would not even have come across any of your material had my google search not contained the words, ‘Trevor Berbick’.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:46 pm
absolutely tasteless. english is not my native tongue, but i guess i would get the spelling of this word right.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
michael woods, tell me if i got the spelling WROGN. Correct me if i got it WROGN, i stand to be corrected. im not ego-maniac.
Trevor bervick, RIP
October 31st, 2006 at 1:46 pm
While I can certainly appreciate Mr Woods’ disenchantment with the lack of truthfulness in the media, this is not the best occasion to take up that battle. It is in poor taste. He may have made some poor choices, and some bad mistakes in his life. Me too! Bad time to bring it up. Good on you though, Michael, for apologizing.
As for Trevor Berbick being a “legend” (or not), I can see your point. Then again - how many people can say they beat Muhammad Ali? Or became heavyweight champion? And losing to Mike Tyson (who was a monster at that time) is nothing to be ashamed of. I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the same room with that guy in those days. Bottom line - millions of people know who he is and at least some of what he’d done, which is what makes a legend.
May Trevor Berbick rest in peace, and condolences to his family.
October 31st, 2006 at 2:20 pm
wow. so much for freedom of the press. i may have missed something in your piece, michael, but what i read is that you said that berbick was ‘not a legend’ and that he was ‘no choirboy.’
and such outrageous charges make you ” a vile, loathsome man”. well, in the extremely unlikely event that the grieving daughter actually read your piece and took the time to compose such a vehement retort, i guess we can call that displaced anger for her loss. but i don’t get the venom. with mr. berbick’s well documented difficulties, included in most published accounts of his death, i found your assessment of his behavior quite mild. if so many people believe any reasonable criticism of the deceased is strictly forbidden, you can look forward to tons of undeserved praise once you leave this plane. but, geez, folks are so sensitive.
October 31st, 2006 at 3:00 pm
Payne, I’m a member of boxingtalk.com and I read Michael Katz’s article, and I loved it, because it told both sides of the story. As far as Woods goes I believe he said to me that this was supposed to be an obituary… since when the hell to obituary feautre bias opinions on the character of a man and his life? Woods needs to keep his mouth shut about things like this. And while Berbick may have never done anything extraordinary in the ring, I’ll bet you that a million times out of a million, Trevor Berbick knocks out Michael Woods in less than 30 seconds.
- Superman
October 31st, 2006 at 3:42 pm
Many well thought out responses here. Yes, the timing was poor. This would have been better served as an example in an article debating where the line is drawn for the term legendary. It probably should have focused on the positive, the courage to fight the best of his time. Writers/Viewpoints are given a lot of leeway here at TSS, but that doesn’t give anyone the license to besmirch the recently deceased, or anyone who has recently suffered great misfortune. If we surrender all compassion for our fellow man, we’re heading to a dangerous place as a race. To the Berbicks, we offer our condolences; our prayers are with you.
October 31st, 2006 at 4:47 pm
I think Michael was just being honest about how the word legend is bandied about too often when describing some people.
Trevor Berbicks record shows he was a good fighter but not a great fighter. Nothing wrong with a journalist writing the truth.
Michaels last paragraph however, was a bit insensitive. Of course family members may read what was said. A lack of empathy is apparent. His words were both unnecessary and harsh.
Michael has apologized and hopefully learnt to be more careful about what he writes in future.
That should be the end of the matter.
October 31st, 2006 at 5:25 pm
The following is what I wrote for my blog, Boxing Along The Beltway about Mr. Berbick:
Trevor Berbick — RIP!
My condolences to the family of former WBC Heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick, who was murdered in in his native Jamaica last night.
According to various wire service reports, the 52-year-old Berbick was killed in a church courtyard after attending a party by an assailant wielding a hatchet or machete and died from a wound to the head. The incident occured in Norwich village, 146 miles east of Kingston.
Berbick had a career record of 50-11-1 with 33 knockouts. He defeated the great Muhammad Ali in Ali’s last fight and later won the WBC heavyweight title against Pinklon Thomas before being dethroned by a 20-year-old Mike Tyson.
Berbick fought two Beltway Boxers during his career. He surprised many by winning a 10-round split decision over DC’s Melvin “Top Gun” Foster on September 13, 1994 in Westbury, NY. This bout was eight years after Berbick dropped the WBC title to Tyson and Foster was undefeated at the time of the bout.
Two years later — October 15, 1996 — Berbick lost a 10-round unanimous decision to future world champion Hasim Rahman at Caesars in Atlantic City.
This was the response to what I wrote:
Anonymous said…
Rest in Peace? I hope he is burning in hell. This guy raped his 16 year old babysitter.
You can’t please everyone.
October 31st, 2006 at 5:32 pm
Mike you saw in “one write up” that Trevor Berbick was listed as a legend, it seems your anger about something else made you write a mean-spirited article. Athletes and celebrites do get a free pass but perhaps your views should be reserved for a book at a later time. We do not know these famous individuals, so I for one would just like to leave it to their performances as entertainers. We do wash things up out of respect for the dead. It just seems like the dignified thing to do to give someone a proper burial. I hope someone does as much for you and me and leave all else to a higher authority.
October 31st, 2006 at 8:59 pm
Trevor Berbick: Boxing Says Goodbye to a True Champion
By Geno McGahee-November 1, 2006
http://ringsidereport.com/rsr/news.php?readmore=513
I just thought some of my father’s fans would like to read some decent commentary about him.
So many people are trying to get in touch with the family so we are trying to set up a website, but some opportunist with larceny in their hearts registered www.trevorberbick.com just a few days ago and refuses to allow the family to use it so my father’s story can be told properly.
A very close family friend has registered http://www.trevorberbick.org and, however we are in desperate need of someone knowlegeable about Web Design to assist us in making the site simple and easy to navigate. If you know how to design websites, I can personally be reached at the following email address that was just set up lastnight in honor of my dad.
trevor_berbick@yahoo.com or berbickkids@yahoo.com
Again, I do wish to thank you all for understanding that it isnt necessarily the bad things that are being reported about my father’s life, but rather the timeframe with which these statements are being made, so close to his untimely passing.
Right now, my family is trying to come up with enough capital to afford paying for the flights from Miramar, Florida to Jamaica. Contrary to popular belief, the family of a former Championship Boxer does not always end up well off. We are struggling, and something so simple as trying to afford a funeral with absolutely no assistance from the people/corporations my father helped back in the day - has become an arduous chore. Any/All help would be appreciated.
Again, I can be reached at: trevor_berbick@yahoo.com or BerbickKids@yahoo.com
The website we are trying to develop without the help of a web designer is: http://www.trevorberbick.org
“Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men”
With love & respect for the sport, and eternal love for my father - I remain,
Anita Berbick
October 31st, 2006 at 10:13 pm
As I read the negative comments on this Blog and elsewhere in the electronic and printed media I became painfully aware why Shakespeare concluded that “The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones�
We who understand that no one is perfect. We who understand the dangers associated with “Casting the first stone”. We who, know, love, respect and miss Trevor Berbick, will do all we possibly can to ensure that his goodness is not buried by those who choose to use their pen as a shovel.
Hey Nadene, Thrisha, Trevor jr., Nadia and Anita …”Memories don’t leave like people do”.
In Agape
November 1st, 2006 at 2:28 am
Superman,
Good point on the definition of an obituary, and with a will not to be embroiled too deeply in this debate - it isn’t the time or the place - I was merely suggesting that Michael’s ommission of the darker moments of Trevor Berbick’s life went someway for atoning for the upset it appears he’s caused.
I too enjoyed Mike Katz’s debut over at B-T, and you could certainly argue it was more balanced but it certainly didn’t fail to dig up many seedy, unsavory moments of his life that could equally upset grieving relatives at this sensitive time.
Perhaps the lesson is, this is not the time for opinion - merely facts.
Over and out.
November 1st, 2006 at 3:17 am
To : “Anita Berbick”
Umm….did the people who created www.trevorberbick.com offer to sell you the domain name?
You speak so poorly of them, I wanted to ask you publicly about your interaction with them.
I’ll check back in a week or so. Thanks.
November 1st, 2006 at 11:41 am
First of all, Superman, you have far too much time on your hands and an inordinate amount of rage toward Michael Woods. You praise Katz for his work when he personally attacked Berbick yet Woods simply states the man’s public boxing record to prove that he was in fact, no boxing legend, and you lambast him. Clearly, there are deeper issues here. My guess? Extreme and unbearable jealousy.
Secondly, We live in a culture that blindly glorifies those we have lost. The term, “speak truth to power” comes to mind. True journalists, unlike most of whom we see on our television screens and read in mainstream newspapers, believe that it is their responsibility, a public service, to seek and share truth in any and all instances. Now, I am aware that Woods was not writing about WMDs in Iraq or the corruption in Washington, but nonetheless, there is a precedent that must be set. The fact remains that where there is truth, there is usually casualities of that truth. In this case, Berbick’s daughter - and that is unfortunate and unfair. However, if we were to refrain from the truth in all instances, in an attempt to protect that “collateral damage”, we would be a nation without truth. Throughout history muckraker journalists have exposed issues of corruption -corporate crime, child labor, conditions in slums and prisons etc.
Now I know what you are thinking — How does exposing the record of a arguably less than stellar fighter in an obituary compare to issues of social justice? It doesn’t - but once again - it’s about precedent. I don’t know about you all but I would prefer to live in a world where there is more truth..not less.
I offer my condolences to Berbick’s family but I would hope that as they participate in the grieving process they remember who their father really was. Not a monster, not a hero, a man with a lifetime of good choices and bad. Anita loves her father and as someone who has lost a parent I understand her sadness - but anger towards Mr. Woods will not bring your father back. Woods is simply practicing his craft and participating in the freedom of speech that this great country affords us.
November 1st, 2006 at 2:20 pm
To: “Questioner”
Did They ( You ) offer to let the family use the url at cost?, at a slight profit?, at a generous, but reasonable profit?…
F’king vultures.
November 1st, 2006 at 2:36 pm
‘Tis interesting how much more kneejerk and nasty many of your responses are than Woods’ words supposedly were. Berbick’s family should consider itself lucky that someone with the amount of restraint and class Woods shows wrote this column, rather than some of you. It could’ve been REALLY ugly had the task been in some of your hands.
November 1st, 2006 at 3:10 pm
You’d think Woods invaded a sovereign nation or something, judging from the reaction he got. Everyone feels for the Berbick family’s loss, and at no point did Woods make light of that. He simply stated what he believes (he never wrote ‘my truth is the only truth’) and supported it with some facts about the recently deceased. But we’ve gotten so accustomed to lies and bull masquerading as truth that when someone sticks their neck out to tell it like it is it seems like an invitation to pick up an ax to start chopping away. Loved though Berbick may be by his family, friends and fans, and appropriately so, Woods was right when he wrote Berbick was no legend. He wasn’t, at least not in terms of boxing. If mealy-mouthed boxing journalism is your thing, it’s just a click away, just do it. But if you look objectively at what Woods wrote and compare it to the comments that followed, which are more hateful, more spiteful, more vile? Woods committed no felonies (and unlike his subject he has never been accused of such), and if you want straight obits take a stroll through a graveyard, where everything is neat, clean and in its place: so unlike life in every respect. If we showed the living half the respect we showed the dead the world would be a better place, but it seems we’ve sunk so low, and are so out of touch with reality, it’s just more evidence that the species (and many of the above commentators) has lost its bearings, its grasp of reality, its commonsense.
November 1st, 2006 at 8:35 pm
michael disappointed me - not with original blog, but with his apology. no apologies were needed. a man dies, the truth does not. berbick was what he was - a decent fighter and an oft-indecent man. when a famous, or infamous, person dies, obituaries and commentaries are part of the journalistic picture and if the family or friends are ‘insulted,’ tough. who cares what stalin’s daughter thought when he was sent to hell by his obituary writers? your job, michael, is to tell the truth, as honestly as you can. apologize when you get the truth wrong, but never say you’re sorry just because feelings might be hurt. frankly, there are a lot of people whose obits i can’t wait to write.
November 1st, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Questioner, Here is the answer to your question regarding www.trevorberbick.com.
a). If you do a “Who Is” search at www.networksolutions.com you will see that this domain was registered Oct. 31 by Robert Andrews II, 2177 Bridgeton Rd, Augusta, Georgia 30909, United States, 706-627-8184, e-mail:goseminoles24@hotmail.com
b). A search using this url will show “This Domain is for sale.. Contact goseminoles24@hotmail.com for more info”
c). www.trevorberbick.com is offered on E-bay for $250.00 with the words: “All Offers are Seriously Considered!! Great FanSite Opp”
(Seller has five other domains for sale on E-Bay)
November 1st, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Cassidy wrote what would be considered a more traditional obituary on Berbick on TheSweetScience.com on 10/29. I think he penned a clear-eyed version of the story — the good and the bad… Woods wrote an opinion piece, one that he is entitled to. The beauty of this country is the Freedom of the Press. Many places in the world don’t have that luxury. The beauty of the internet, and blogging, are dialogues such as these. As long as we’re talking, even if it’s passionately, we’re doing OK. God Bless.
November 2nd, 2006 at 2:56 am
If Berbick’s death and comments thereafter cause this much furor, Mike Tyson’s eventual death was be the lightning rod of all lightning rods.
November 2nd, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Today is All Souls Day. Why can’t we all just say a prayer for Trevor and everyone else we have loved and miss? Let’s stop the bashing.
November 4th, 2006 at 6:13 am
I absolutely defend Mr.Woods’ freedom of speech here but I also defend everyone who wants to criticise him too, on grounds of freedom of speech.
So I’m not sure why people have brought up the issue of freedom of speech - since we are all OBVIOUSLY exercise ours to the full on here.
As for Mr.Woods telling the truth about Berbick’s boxing career and credentials - I think Mr.Woods has been very selective with the truth to the point where I can only assume he wishes to portray Berbick as a more ordinary fighter than he actually was …… yes, Berbick was no all-time “legend” in world boxing, but Mr.Woods omits or downplays the high-points in Berbick’s career, while highlighting the losses.
The win over Pinklon Thomas is downplayed because it was “tightly contested”, but how about mentioning the fact that Berbick was a huge underdog in that one ? Odds of 6-1 or 8-1 if I remember rightly.
Likewise, the wins over John Tate and Greg Page …… Berbick again was the supposed patsy, the no-hope or little-hoper underdog ….. Mr.Woods doesn’t even mention these fights.
So, despite what Woods saying about Berbick’s boxing career being true, it is the selective negative truths.
All the most positive and admirable qualities Berbick displayed by winning fights against the odds, doing what others said he couldn’t do …… these TRUTHS are OMITTED.
So, this piece is clearly a biased account of his career. It omits certain facts to “show” Berbick wasn’t much of a fighter. This is unfair, in my opinion.
Combine that unfairness with the fact that the article is written just a day or two after Berbick’s horrific murder and I have to judge it as a classless, crass and tasteless article.
As Woods himself says “try a little perspective”.
You wont find any perspective by omitting or downplaying the most favourable and positive results.
November 6th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
I just wanted to let those that care, know that my father will be laid to eternal rest this saturday in Jamaica.
I hope to be able to illuminate his life on htp://www.trevorberbick.org in the weeks and months ahead.
Right now, the family is still grieving - but soon we should have some photo’s and other personal information never before seen by the general public/boxing community. I do hope it comes out well, as we don’t have much in the way of professional assistance and/or funding to do the things we’d like, to tribute my father.
Again, to those that have shown gratitude, respect or admiration for my dad when he was “World Champ”, and were also inclined to forgive him for the shortcomings he exhibited thereafter - I wish to express my sincerest praise.
On behalf of myself & the family, a very heartfelt thankyou goes out to all that understood Trevor Berbick as, “the man, loving father & compassionate friend” that he was.
God Bless
Anita Berbick - age 19
November 6th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
Sorry, the website URL is www.trevorberbick.org
November 9th, 2006 at 3:01 am
That was harsh!!! How cold hearted can you be?!?!?!?!
November 12th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
Hi Anita you are my cousin.If you are at the funeral you might see my dad leroy.May my uncle rest in peace.
November 12th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
Hello everyone, i am one of Trevor Berbick’s nephews. I am writing this message to clear up all this confusion of my uncle’s “legendary” or not status. In my opinion, and this is only my opinion, it is your accomplishments that give you a legendary status. We all agree here in the U.S.A that George Washington was a hero and a legend. But at the same time, he also was a proud slave owner. That does not take away from his countless accomplishments, his many military victories, and not to mention being this proud nation’s first president. I am a black man, and as you can probably guess, i hate the idea of slavery. But guess what, in my book, Goerge Washington is hero and a legend. He was the first president of this great country, he was a pioneer, he was a man with vision. He worked hard and achieved the impossible. He was the first man of his native country to accomplish these achievements. This is what legends are made of. I am in no way trying to compare my uncle to George Washington. There is no comparison. But like the great George Washington, Trevor Berbick was the first man from his native country to reach the heights that he did. He is the only man from Jamaica to win 5 heavyweight titles. He represented Jamaica in the Montreal Olympics. His name is in the boxing archives and record books as being one of the few WBC heavyweight champions. These are just a few of his many accomplishments. So, YES, In his country, he is a LEGEND. Next time you go to Jamaica, ask about Trevor Berbick. They will let you know how much they miss “THE CHAMP'’. For all those abroad who will be reading this, If you ever come to the U.S.A, ask about Micheal Woods, we’ll probably say, “Never heard of him”.
November 18th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Mr.Woods is entitled to his opinions.Please let me state some of mine as well as some truths. Trevors conviction was no less controversal than Mike Tysons. 1. This society is more than anxious to label minorities with convictions while it is far less conviction happy with white people and real monied people. The label of babysitter was convenient, she was a girl-friend who was jealous that his estranged wife was returning to the house.Will Mike Tyson be recognised as a legend for his boxing ? In my book he is a legend and hall of famer. Trevor for his boxing is a hero and is indeed legendary for the caribbean,british commonwealth,,Canada,Jamaica and the non-white world.He was the first of modern times to have won a World Heavyweight Title and he also left boxing as the Heavyweight Champion of Canada in 2000. So there is a context for his recognition which is rooted in his indelible achievements.Trevor like the rest of us who have defied the odds of the third world and coming to America and other developed countries and like Caesar ,we came ,we saw and we conquer.And as Marcus Garvey said, UP YOU MIGHTY RACE, YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WILL. Thank you Mr Woods, the world is more than America, and you may help to shape opinions here but you can do better by educating yourself about the rest of the planet.
November 27th, 2006 at 10:37 am
As an aspiring amateur boxer myself,it irritates me to see guys who never had the courage to even lace a glove up run down those who did.
Michael Woods-do you realise how much it takes to actually get in the ring,let alone win a world title? It’s harder than anything you will have ever done I guess.
Berbick might not have the perfect ring record,or be as great as Muhammad Ali and the like,but he has his own legacy and is a hero to the people of Jamaica.
His name is down in the boxing records,and that will never be changed.
One thing is for sure,Trevor Berbicks name means a hell of a lot more than Michael Woods’ name in the boxing world,and world in general.
November 27th, 2006 at 10:59 am
I feel very depressed seeing the lack of sensitivity the journalists and several people here have knowing full well that members of the Berbick family are reading.
Anita Berbick has shown more class than many of the contributors here have done, despite the traumatic time.
As a boxer Trevor Berbick was good enough to beat John Tate, Muhammad Ali, Greg Page, David Bey, Mitch Blood Green, and Pinklon Thomas, good enough to be a WBC world heavyweight champion, USBA champion, Commonwealth champion, and two time Canadian champion. Nobody needs to debate how good, great, or legendary the man was, the vast majority of people who lace on the gloves can only dream of achieving what Trevor Berbick did.
December 10th, 2006 at 12:16 am
i just can t beleive that you people dont have no feelings and respect for somebody who regardless of his mistakes did his part in boxing . let him rip and get a live y”all. look your self in the mirror and tell me if youre perfect in anyway . guess not ….. who give you the right to diminished the name of someone who did something that you never gonna do in your live .
May 19th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I am Trevor Berbick’s Niece.I miss him and i didn’t even get a chance to see him in person.My uncle was a great man and i love him.
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Regardless of everything Trevor will go down in history as former heavyweight champion of the world, not many will do that.