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{{short description|Boxing competition}}
{{short description|Boxing competition}}
{{Infobox boxing match
{{Infobox boxing match
| Fight Name = Drama in Bahama
| Fight Name = Drama in Bahama
| image = [[File:Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick.jpg]]
| fight date = December 11, 1981
| caption =
| location = Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], [[Bahamas]]
| fight date = 11 December 1981
| image = [[File:Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick.jpg]]
| location = Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], [[Bahamas]]
| titles = None
| titles =
| fighter1 = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Muhammad Ali]]
| fighter1 = [[Muhammad Ali]]
| nickname1 = "The Greatest"
| nickname1 = "The Greatest"
| purse1 = $1,100,000
| hometown1 = [[Louisville, Kentucky]]
| hometown1 = [[Louisville, Kentucky]], U.S.
| purse1 = $1,100,000
| record1 = 56–4 (37 KO)
| record1 = 56–4 (37 KO)
| height1 = 6 ft 3 in
| age1 = {{age in years and months |January 17, 1942 |December 11, 1981}}
| weight1 = 236 lb
| height1 = 6 ft 3 in
| style1 = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| weight1 = 236 lb
| style1 = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| recognition1 = Two-time [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed]] heavyweight champion
| recognition1 = Two-time [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed]] heavyweight champion
| fighter2 = {{flagicon|JAM}} [[Trevor Berbick]]
| fighter2 = [[Trevor Berbick]]
| nickname2 =
| nickname2 =
| hometown2 = Norwich, [[Port Antonio]], Jamaica
| purse2 = $350,000
| purse2 = $350,000
| hometown2 = Norwich, [[Port Antonio]], [[Jamaica]]
| record2 = 19–2–1 (17 KO)
| record2 = 19–2–1 (17 KO)
| age2 = {{age in years and months |August 1, 1954 |December 11, 1981}}
| height2 = 6 ft 2 in
| weight2 = 218 lb
| height2 = 6 ft 2 in
| weight2 = 218 lb
| style2 = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| style2 = Orthodox
| recognition2 =
| recognition2 = [[World Boxing Association|WBA]]<br>No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight<br>[[Boxing in Canada|Canadian]] and [[Commonwealth Boxing Council|Commonwealth]]<br>heavyweight champion
| result = Berbick wins via 10-round [[unanimous decision]]
| result = Berbick wins by [[unanimous decision]] in 10 rounds (99–94, 99–94, 97–94)
|age1={{age in years and months |January 17, 1942 |December 11, 1981}}|age2={{age in years and months |August 1, 1954 |December 11, 1981}}}}
}}
'''[[Muhammad Ali]] vs. [[Trevor Berbick]]''', billed as '''"Drama in Bahama"''', was a ten-round boxing match that took place in [[Nassau, Bahamas]] on December 11, 1981. Ali was 39 years old at this time, and Berbick was 27 years old. The fight went the distance with Berbick winning through a unanimous decision on points. This was Ali's last boxing match.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2011/dec/11/boxing-muhammad-ali |title=Drama in Bahama: Muhammad Ali v Trevor Berbick - in pictures |work=The Guardian |date=11 December 2011|access-date=3 October 2016}}</ref><ref name = "Glory Years">{{cite book|title=Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years|author= Felix Dennis|author2= Don Atyeo|name-list-style= amp|publisher=miramax books|pages = 264|year=2003}}</ref><ref name = "McIlvanney">{{cite book|title=McIlvanney on Boxing|author= Hugh McIlvanney|publisher=Beaufort books|pages = 186|year=1982}}</ref>
'''[[Muhammad Ali]] vs. [[Trevor Berbick]]''', billed as '''"Drama in Bahama"''', was a ten-round [[professional boxing]] match that took place in [[Nassau, Bahamas]] on 11 December 1981.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trevor Berbick vs. Muhammad Ali |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Trevor_Berbick_vs._Muhammad_Ali |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref>

The fight went the distance with Berbick winning through a unanimous decision on points. This was Ali's last boxing match.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2011/dec/11/boxing-muhammad-ali |title=Drama in Bahama: Muhammad Ali v Trevor Berbick - in pictures |work=The Guardian |date=11 December 2011|access-date=3 October 2016}}</ref><ref name = "Glory Years">{{cite book|title=Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years|author= Felix Dennis|author2= Don Atyeo|name-list-style= amp|publisher=miramax books|pages = 264|year=2003}}</ref><ref name = "McIlvanney">{{cite book|title=McIlvanney on Boxing|author= Hugh McIlvanney|publisher=Beaufort books|pages = 186|year=1982}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
Line 40: Line 45:


==The fight==
==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.<ref name = "Glory Years"/> Sportswriter [[Hugh McIlvanney]], who witnessed the fight, wrote: {{Quote|Berbick is the kind of lumbering, slow-armed swinger [Ali] would have first embarrassed and then demolished in his dazzling prime...To see [Ali] lose to such a moderate fighter in such a grubby context was like watching a king riding into permanent exile on the back of a garbage truck. The one blessing was that he was steadily exhausted rather than violently hurt by the experience.<ref name = "McIlvanney"/>}}
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 got tired and started getting hit. By the last round, Ali was completely exhausted.<ref name = "Glory Years"/> Sportswriter [[Hugh McIlvanney]], who witnessed the fight, wrote: {{Quote|Berbick is the kind of lumbering, slow-armed swinger [Ali] would have first embarrassed and then demolished in his dazzling prime...To see [Ali] lose to such a moderate fighter in such a grubby context was like watching a king riding into permanent exile on the back of a garbage truck. The one blessing was that he was steadily exhausted rather than violently hurt by the experience.<ref name = "McIlvanney"/>}}

==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."{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

==Undercard==
Confirmed bouts:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/2121|title=BoxRec - event|publisher=}}</ref>
{|class=wikitable
!Winner !! Loser!! Weight division/title belt(s) disputed !! Result
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Greg Page (boxer)|Greg Page]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Scott LeDoux]]
|[[United States Boxing Association|USBA]] Heavyweight Title
|4th round TKO.
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Thomas Hearns]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} Ernie Singletary
|Super Welterweight (10 rounds)
|Unanimous decision.
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Earnie Shavers]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Sims
|Heavyweight (10 rounds)
|5th round KO.
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Mustafa Muhammad]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} Michael Hardin
|Heavyweight (10 rounds)
|8th round TKO.
|}

==Broadcasting==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | Country
! align=center | Broadcaster
|-
| {{flag|Mexico}} || [[Televisa]]
|-
| {{flag|Philippines}} || [[People's Television Network|MBS 4]]
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
|-
| {{flag|United States}} || [[ONTV (pay TV)|ONTV]]
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | before=[[Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali|vs. Larry Holmes]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[Muhammad Ali]]'s bouts |years=11 December 1981}}
{{s-non | reason=Retired}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. Conroy Nelson}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[Trevor Berbick]]'s bouts |years=11 December 1981}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Chuck Gardner}}
{{s-end}}


{{Muhammad Ali}}
{{Muhammad Ali}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Berbick}}
[[Category:Boxing matches involving Muhammad Ali|Berbick]]

[[Category:1981 in boxing]]
[[Category:1981 in boxing]]
[[Category:December 1981 sports events in North America]]
[[Category:1981 in Bahamian sport]]
[[Category:1981 in Bahamian sport]]
[[Category:December 1981 sports events in North America]]
[[Category:Boxing in the Bahamas]]
[[Category:Boxing in the Bahamas]]
[[Category:Boxing matches involving Muhammad Ali|Berbick]]
[[Category:Boxing on ITV]]
[[Category:Boxing on ESPN]]
[[Category:Nicknamed sporting events]]
[[Category:Nicknamed sporting events]]

Latest revision as of 15:13, 4 December 2024

Drama in Bahama
Date11 December 1981
VenueQueen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas
Tale of the tape
Boxer Muhammad Ali Trevor Berbick
Nickname "The Greatest"
Hometown Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Norwich, Port Antonio, Jamaica
Purse $1,100,000 $350,000
Pre-fight record 56–4 (37 KO) 19–2–1 (17 KO)
Age 39 years, 10 months 27 years, 4 months
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 236 lb (107 kg) 218 lb (99 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion WBA
No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight
Canadian and Commonwealth
heavyweight champion
Result
Berbick wins by unanimous decision in 10 rounds (99–94, 99–94, 97–94)

Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick, billed as "Drama in Bahama", was a ten-round professional 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

[edit]

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 236 pounds (107 kilograms). 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

[edit]

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 got tired and started getting hit. By the last round, Ali was completely exhausted.[3] Sportswriter Hugh McIlvanney, who witnessed the fight, wrote:

Berbick is the kind of lumbering, slow-armed swinger [Ali] would have first embarrassed and then demolished in his dazzling prime...To see [Ali] lose to such a moderate fighter in such a grubby context was like watching a king riding into permanent exile on the back of a garbage truck. The one blessing was that he was steadily exhausted rather than violently hurt by the experience.[4]

Aftermath

[edit]

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."[citation needed]

Undercard

[edit]

Confirmed bouts:[5]

Winner Loser Weight division/title belt(s) disputed Result
United States Greg Page United States Scott LeDoux USBA Heavyweight Title 4th round TKO.
United States Thomas Hearns United States Ernie Singletary Super Welterweight (10 rounds) Unanimous decision.
United States Earnie Shavers United States Jeff Sims Heavyweight (10 rounds) 5th round KO.
United States Eddie Mustafa Muhammad United States Michael Hardin Heavyweight (10 rounds) 8th round TKO.

Broadcasting

[edit]
Country Broadcaster
 Mexico Televisa
 Philippines MBS 4
 United Kingdom ITV
 United States ONTV

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Trevor Berbick vs. Muhammad Ali". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Drama in Bahama: Muhammad Ali v Trevor Berbick - in pictures". The Guardian. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Felix Dennis & Don Atyeo (2003). Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years. miramax books. p. 264.
  4. ^ a b Hugh McIlvanney (1982). McIlvanney on Boxing. Beaufort books. p. 186.
  5. ^ "BoxRec - event".
Preceded by Muhammad Ali's bouts
11 December 1981 		Retired
Preceded by
vs. Conroy Nelson
 Trevor Berbick's bouts
11 December 1981 		Succeeded by
vs. Chuck Gardner
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Muhammad_Ali_vs._Trevor_Berbick&oldid=1261152356"