Police: Ex-heavyweight Berbick dead

[Wetzelbill]

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Trevor Berbick, who lost his heavyweight title to Mike Tyson and was the last boxer to fight Muhammad Ali, was found dead Saturday in a church courtyard in his hometown, police said. He was believed to be 52.


Berbick's body was discovered about 6:30 a.m. in Portland parish, constable Beverly Howell said. No further details were available.

After beating Ali in 1981, Berbick went on to win the WBC heavyweight title fours years later in a decision over Pinklon Thomas. His reign was short, however, as a 20-year-old Tyson knocked Berbick out in the second round of their bout on Nov. 22, 1986, to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

In his loss to Tyson in Las Vegas, Berbick was knocked down twice in the second round. After trying to get up from the second knockdown he fell another two times.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061028/ap_on_sp_bo_ne/box_obit_berbick