Mr. Ryan
01-03-2005, 06:59 PM
Foreman vs Berbick at the Oval?
By DAVID BREWSTER, trinidadexpress.com
Thursday, December 30th 2004
TREVOR BERBICK versus George Foreman for the Senior Heavyweight Championship of the World at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain.
It is not just an idea, but a priority on promoter Tansley Thompson's agenda.
And once Foreman is interested , the big fight is on, the promoter said yesterday.
Berbick, the 51 year-old Jamaican, still in the country following last Sunday's six-round exhibition against local heavyweight Kertson Manswell at the Oval is ready to sign to fight Foreman right away.
And Thompson is hoping that Foreman, 55, is still serious about making a final trip to the ring, a promise he made, following his last fight some three years ago.
"I think he would fight again, but not against a young strong fighter. He'll fight me if the price is right and I am sure he'll fight for the Seniors Title," said Berbick, anxious to get into the ring for a last hurrah.
Foreman won the undisputed heavyweight title in Berbick's hometown in Kingston, Jamaica on January 22, 1973 in the "Sunshine Showdown," demolishing Joe Frazier in the second round.
Berbick won the World Boxing Council (WBC) version of the heavyweight title via a decision over Pinklon Thomas in March 1986.
But both Foreman and Berbick have a common opponent in the greatest of them all, Muhammad Ali.
A 33 year-old Berbick outpointed a 40 year-old Ali in the "Drama in Bahama" on December 11, 1981 over ten rounds.
A 26 year-old Foreman, however, was knocked out in the eighth round in the "Rumble in the Jungle" back in October, 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire.
"The build-up for such a fight would be terrific. After all both of us fought Ali..I whipped Ali , although it was at the tail-end of his career, but the record books don't say that. It says I beat Ali and that is what is important."
There is no doubt in his mind that the fight would come off...once Foreman gets an offer he cannot refuse, Berbick said.
Continued Berbick: "A Foreman/Berbick clash will be a big event for boxing in the Caribbean. The TV networks in the USA would lap it up, and even Ali himself could be invited at ringside to present the winner with the championship belt. It would also create an opening for future senior boxing matches in the various divisions" said Berbick.
Thompson, who has so far promoted all of Manswell's four bouts, apart from the Berbick exhibition, said he had already contacted several local prospective sponsors and they all liked the idea.
"Once Foreman likes the idea, the fight is on," Thompson reiterated.
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Well, as long as I get to see Foreman in there with an old Berbick and not a young Holyfield.
By DAVID BREWSTER, trinidadexpress.com
Thursday, December 30th 2004
TREVOR BERBICK versus George Foreman for the Senior Heavyweight Championship of the World at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain.
It is not just an idea, but a priority on promoter Tansley Thompson's agenda.
And once Foreman is interested , the big fight is on, the promoter said yesterday.
Berbick, the 51 year-old Jamaican, still in the country following last Sunday's six-round exhibition against local heavyweight Kertson Manswell at the Oval is ready to sign to fight Foreman right away.
And Thompson is hoping that Foreman, 55, is still serious about making a final trip to the ring, a promise he made, following his last fight some three years ago.
"I think he would fight again, but not against a young strong fighter. He'll fight me if the price is right and I am sure he'll fight for the Seniors Title," said Berbick, anxious to get into the ring for a last hurrah.
Foreman won the undisputed heavyweight title in Berbick's hometown in Kingston, Jamaica on January 22, 1973 in the "Sunshine Showdown," demolishing Joe Frazier in the second round.
Berbick won the World Boxing Council (WBC) version of the heavyweight title via a decision over Pinklon Thomas in March 1986.
But both Foreman and Berbick have a common opponent in the greatest of them all, Muhammad Ali.
A 33 year-old Berbick outpointed a 40 year-old Ali in the "Drama in Bahama" on December 11, 1981 over ten rounds.
A 26 year-old Foreman, however, was knocked out in the eighth round in the "Rumble in the Jungle" back in October, 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire.
"The build-up for such a fight would be terrific. After all both of us fought Ali..I whipped Ali , although it was at the tail-end of his career, but the record books don't say that. It says I beat Ali and that is what is important."
There is no doubt in his mind that the fight would come off...once Foreman gets an offer he cannot refuse, Berbick said.
Continued Berbick: "A Foreman/Berbick clash will be a big event for boxing in the Caribbean. The TV networks in the USA would lap it up, and even Ali himself could be invited at ringside to present the winner with the championship belt. It would also create an opening for future senior boxing matches in the various divisions" said Berbick.
Thompson, who has so far promoted all of Manswell's four bouts, apart from the Berbick exhibition, said he had already contacted several local prospective sponsors and they all liked the idea.
"Once Foreman likes the idea, the fight is on," Thompson reiterated.
---
Well, as long as I get to see Foreman in there with an old Berbick and not a young Holyfield.