1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ April 3, 1979

Halifax Metro Center ~ Halifax, Nova Scotia

'WBC Continental Americas Championship'

Trevor Berbick ~ 11-0-0 {10 KO's} ~ 6' 2" ~ 216 lbs. ~ Reach; 78" ~ {Age; 24 years, 8 months}
vs.
Bernardo Mercado ~ 21-2-0 {18 KO's} ~ 6' 4" ~ 218 lbs. ~ Reach; 80" ~ {Age; 27 years, 2 months}
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'The Skinny'

The Fight Promoters are trying to get Trevor Berbick name recognition. The word is, that if Trevor can beat the
'big' Colombian, he will get a chance at WBC Champion - Larry Holmes sometime in the Summer of 1979.

Trevor had a very good Amateur career, where he went 90-6 with {51 KO's}. Trevor won a Bronze Medal
at the 1975 Pan Am Games.

Trevor also competed at the 1976 Olympics, losing a close Decision to Romanian - Mircea Simon who went
on to earn a Silver Medal.

After the 1976 Olympics, Trevor {who is Jamaican} moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia and decided to turn Professional
where he would have access to better Training Facilties, as well as getting better bouts.

Trevor Berbick >
Trevor is both big and strong, and can punch very hard. But he is slow and plodding at times, and can be fooled
by 'feints'.

Trevor, a Professional since September 1976 {2 1/2 years}, last fought 6-Months earlier {October 8, 1978},
when he was impressive in stopping {TKO 7} 'highly-regarded' New York Heavyweight - Greg Sorrentino.

Manager - Don Kerr >
"I've been trying to get Trevor some 'name' recognition. We offered George Chuvalo { $17,500 } to come to
Halifax to fight Trevor for the Canadian Heavyweight Championship in January 1979. But he wouldn't return
our telephone calls."

"We wanted to fight the South African - Kallie Knoetze in Florida on CBS-TV. But they turned us down because
they said that Trevor was an 'unknown' and was not known outside of Jamaica and Nova Scotia."

"The problem, is that nobody wants to come here and fight him, because they know that they will end up losing."

Bernardo Mercado >
Bernardo, is a big right-hand swinger from Colombia.

Bernardo also had a very good Amateur career, where he went 142-8 {106 KO's}.

Bernardo has also fought Trevor Berbick once before. In the 1975 Central American and Caribbean Championships
in Guatamala in August 1975. Bernardo defeated {W Dec} Trevor in the Championship Bout.

Bernardo left Colombia in October 1975, and moved to Nevada to turn Professional. He was also a stable-mate
of Oscar Bonavena, where they were both managed by Joseph Confronte of the Mustang Ranch.

Bernardo won 20-Straight with {17 KO's}, and reached the level of the #9 World-Ranked Heavyweight, before
getting 'upset' {L TKO 2} by John Tate in New York on June 22, 1978.

In his next bout {October 22, 1978}, Bernardo was again 'upset' and stopped {L TKO 5} by Mike Weaver.

Bernardo took {3 1/2 Months} off, before returning on February 14, 1979 where he scored a {TKO 7} over Tongan
Heavyweight - Tony Pulu.

Manager - Don Majeski >
"We accepted a small Fight Purse of { $3000 } to get this bout. It's 'win-or-nothing' here for Bernardo. I told
him that he has to win, or his chance of getting an opportunity to fight for the World Championship will end
here in Nova Scotia."

"Double Skinny'

In their {August 1975} Amateur Bout, Bernardo boxed a 'fantastic' first 2-Rounds, as he speared Trevor with
repeated 'sharp' left-hands and straight right-hands to the face.

Behind on Points, Trevor rallied with a strong-attack in Round 3, and 'stunned' Bernardo with some big
right-hands to the temple area. Trevor nearly dropped Bernardo late, after tagging him with an overhand
right to the head. But Bernardo hung on until the Bell, and won the Decision as well as winning the
Central American and Caribbean Championship.

Also >
WBC Heavyweight Champion - Larry Holmes is a "paid guest' to provide for Commentary at Ringside during
the Broadcast. Larry will receive { $1500 } in appearance money, as well as expenses.

Larry is fresh off his Title Defense {TKO 7} over Ossie Ocasio on March 23, 1979.