1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ April 3, 1979

Halifax Metro Center ~ Halifax, Nova Scotia

Attendance ......... { 11,093 } 'Sell Out'
Gate Receipts ..... { $81,980 }

~ Bomber Mercado Flattens Berbick In One ~

'The Skinny'

* This bout was for the 'WBC Continental Americas Championship'.

* Trevor Berbick received a Fight Purse Guarantee of { $35,000 } against 40% of the Gate.
* Trevor also received { $3000 } in ancillary fee's for the Television Broadcast rights in his home country of Jamaica.

* Bernardo Mercado received a Fight Purse Guarantee of only { $3000 } from the Gate Receipts.
* The Mercado Camp also received 'expenses' for {Travel, Hotel and Amenities}.
* Bernardo Mercado also received { $6000 } in ancillary fee's for the Television Broadcast rights to his home country of Colombia,
as well as Central America.

'Funny Skinny'

Bernardo Mercado came into the Ring wearing a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader's Jacket, with 'STUPID' lettered on the back
of the jacket.

'Double Skinny'
WBC Champion - Larry Holmes was supposed to be here, providing commentary at Ringside for the Television Broadcast.

Larry had agreed to an 'Appearnace Fee' of { $1500 }, which included '2' Round Trip Tickets from Easton, Pennsylvania
to Halifax, Nova Scotia as well as 'expenses'. It also included an overnight stay at Halifax's top hotel.

The day before the bout, Larry Holmes 'demanded' { $5000 }. The Promoters told him to 'stick it'.




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Don Kerr {Manager for Trevor Berbick} >
That was the most vicious right-hand ever launched. It was the hardest punch that I have ever seen. The Referee {Herb McMullen}
could have counted another 20-Seconds, and Trevor still wouldn't have gotten up. That big Colombian is an 'Animal'.

I talked to Trevor in the Dressing Room after the bout, and he was OK. He just had a foolish grin on his face. I told Trevor
that we will take 45-days off, and then come back with 3-or-4 easy bouts. Then we'll go after the Commonwealth Championship
against that Brit {John L. Gardner} in September of October.

Then we'll get that 'Animal' {Bernardo Mercado} back here at the end of the year {1979}.

Trevor Berbick >
I grazed him with a right-hand, and he looked glassy-eyed. So I dropped my hands and walked in looking to bomb him.
It was bad luck, as I just walked into a punch. It's no big deal. I'll knock him out the next time we fight.

Don Majeski {Manager for Bernardo Mercado} >
I never doubted that Bernardo would win. We accepted the 'small' Fight Purse, because we wanted this guy {Trevor Berbick}.
Now we'll see if we can line up a WBC Championship Bout with Larry Holmes.

Manny Ciaca { Trainer for Bernardo Mercado} >
We're going back to Colombia. Bernardo will be welcomed as a Hero. There is no stopping my guy, as he can punch harder
than anybody out there.

Bernardo Mercado >
I caught him with my 'sledge-hammer' right-hand. I call it my 'Stupid Punch', because when it lands my opponent goes 'stupid'.
Now I want Larry Holmes next. Get me Mr. Holmes.