By Matthew Hurley: The nephew of former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick was sentenced Friday afternoon, January 11th, 2008 to life in prison for the murder of his uncle. Harold Berbick, twenty-one, will be eligible for parole in twenty years. His accomplice, Kenton Gordon, was sentenced to fourteen years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter. Police in Kingston, Jamaica said that the two men bludgeoned the fifty-four year old fighter to death in October of 2006 over a land dispute and left his body in a church courtyard. There were also reports that the two men used machetes in their attack.
Berbick, a longtime fixture in the heavyweight ranks, is best known for defeating Muhammad Ali by a ten round unanimous decision in the Bahamas back in 1981 and for his second round knockout loss to Mike Tyson in 1986. Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history with the victory. Berbick won the WBC title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Pinklon Thomas in March of 1986.
Berbick’s life was often troubled and he was deported from the United States in 2002 after convictions for sexual assault, grand theft and burglary.
He retired in 2000, compiling a record of 49-11-1 with 33 KOs.
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ESPN2 – Friday Night Fight Weigh In Results
The official weights for tonight’s ESPN2 Friday Night Fights at the Seminole Hardrock Arena in Hollywood, Florida are as follows:
Edison Miranda 170 ½ vs. David Banks 169
Jean Pascal 170 ¼ vs. Omar Pittman 171
Sebastian Demers 160 ¼ vs. Thomas Brown 158 ½
Jesus Pabon 141 vs. Daniel Gonazles 139 ¼
Kasim Howard 213 ½ vs. Ron LaForge 220 ½
Dierry Jean 140 ½ vs Anthony Woods 143 ½
Joe Hernandez 129 ¼ vs. Alpachino Allen 129 ¾
Kenny Galarza 140 ¼ vs. James Sangrey 144
Tickets are still available and are priced at $152, $102, $52 and $27. ESPN2’s broadcast begins at 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.