Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick explained

Fight Name:Drama in Bahama
Fight Date:11 December 1981
Location:Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas
Fighter1: Muhammad Ali
Nickname1:"The Greatest"
Hometown1:Louisville, Kentucky
Purse1:$1,100,000
Record1:56–4 (37 KO)
Height1:6 ft 3 in
Weight1:236 lb
Style1:Orthodox
Recognition1:Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion
Fighter2: Trevor Berbick
Hometown2:Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica
Purse2:$350,000
Record2:19–2–1 (17 KO)
Height2:6 ft 2 in
Weight2:218 lb
Style2:Orthodox
Recognition2:WBA
No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight
Canadian and Commonwealth
heavyweight champion
Result:Berbick wins via 10-round unanimous decision (99-94, 97-94, 99-94)

Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick, billed as "Drama in Bahama", was a ten-round boxing match that took place in Nassau, Bahamas on 11 December 1981.[1]

The fight went the distance with Berbick winning through a unanimous decision on points. This was Ali's last boxing match.[2] [3] [4]

Background

Prior to the fight, Ali claimed that he had been declared fit by "even the best white doctors."[3] Nevertheless, the venue for the fight—Nassau in the Bahamas—was chosen because no American state would grant Ali a boxing license after his performance in the match with Larry Holmes.[3]

The promoter of this fight was James Cornelius, a convicted felon with links to the Nation of Islam. However, a problem arose since Don King had signed up Berbick for a three-fight deal. When King arrived in Nassau to demand his share of the profits from this fight, he was greeted by two friends of Cornelius who administered a sound beating to King.[3]

Ali had hoped to use this fight to earn a title bid against Mike Weaver the World Boxing Association Champ. Ali said "The stage is set for me. I love this sort of situation".

Ali's weight just before and during the fight was 236lb. One reporter described him as Michelin Man. Ticket sales for the fight were so slow that the promoters ended up offering them at a heavy discounted price. Ultimately, fewer than 7,500 people witnessed this fight. There was no pay-per-view television; no American network had even made a bid. However, ONTV aired the fight, with it airing at least in Cincinnati, Ohio.[3]

The fight took place in the unfinished Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. When people arrived to see the fight they found they could not get in because the key to the main gate had been misplaced. When the key was found, it was discovered that there were no boxing gloves at the venue. There was also no bell to signal the end of a round; ultimately a hastily procured cowbell had to be used for this purpose. Because of the paucity of paying spectators Berbick refused to fight unless he was paid upfront. The fight started more than two hours behind schedule.[3]

The fight

In the early rounds, Ali tried putting together some combinations, but these proved ineffectual and he was pushed back on the ropes. In the fifth round, Ali landed some solid jabs and then a right-left-right combination on Berbick, but by the sixth round Ali had tired and started getting hit. By the last round, Ali was completely exhausted.[3] Sportswriter Hugh McIlvanney, who witnessed the fight, wrote:

Aftermath

Muhammad Ali said after the bout: "I think I'm too old. I was slow. I was weak. Nothing but Father Time. The things I wanted to do, I couldn't do. I was doing my best. I did good for a 39-year-old. I think I'm finished. I know it's the end. I'm not crazy. After Holmes, I had excuses. I was too light. Didn't breathe right. No excuses this time. I'm happy. I'm still pretty. I could have a black eye. Broken teeth. Split lips. I think I came out all right for an old man."

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:[5]

Winner LoserWeight division/title belt(s) disputed Result
Greg Page Scott LeDouxUSBA Heavyweight Title4th round TKO.
Thomas Hearns Ernie SingletarySuper Welterweight (10 rounds)Unanimous decision.
Earnie Shavers Jeff SimsHeavyweight (10 rounds)5th round KO.
Eddie Mustafa Muhammad Michael HardinHeavyweight (10 rounds)8th round TKO.

Broadcasting

align=center Countryalign=center Broadcaster
MBS 4
ITV
ONTV

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trevor Berbick vs. Muhammad Ali . boxrec.com . BoxRec . 23 July 2024.
  2. News: Drama in Bahama: Muhammad Ali v Trevor Berbick - in pictures . The Guardian . 11 December 2011. 3 October 2016.
  3. Book: Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years. Felix Dennis. Don Atyeo. amp. miramax books. 264. 2003.
  4. Book: McIlvanney on Boxing. Hugh McIlvanney. Beaufort books. 186. 1982.
  5. Web site: BoxRec - event.