-R.I.P. Trevor Berbick-
 

Trevor Berbick's nephew was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the former heavyweight champion's murder, according to a report on a Jamaican website. Harold Berbick, 21, will be eligible for parole in 20 years.

The jury reportedly also found Harold Berbick's accomplice, Kenton Gordon, guilty of manslaughter in the October 2006 killing of Berbick, who became the first Jamaican to hold a world heavyweight title when he scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Pinklon Thomas in March 1986 to win the WBC belt. Gordon was sentenced to 14 years in prison, according to the report.

The report stated that police claimed the two men beat Trevor Berbick to death and left the 54-year-old's body in a church courtyard. The former champion was found on the morning of October 28, 2006 with large wounds to the back of his head.

Berbick, who fought for Jamaica at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, became a Canadian citizen in 1979, shortly after beginning his pro boxing career while living in Halifax.

Berbick won the Canadian heavyweight title, then moved to south Florida in the early 1980s.

In 1981, Berbick beat an ageing Muhammad Ali in the final fight of the boxing legend's career, then in 1986 won the WBC heavyweight title on a decision over Thomas.

Eight months later in Las Vegas, Berbick lost the title to 20-year-old Mike Tyson, who thus became the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of the sport.

1-12-2008