Second arrest over Berbick murder

A woman involved in a long-running land dispute with former heavyweight boxing champion Trevor Berbick has been detained for questioning in connection with his killing, police in Jamaica said today.

The woman is the mother of a 20-year-old suspect arrested on Sunday. Their names were not released.

Berbick’s body was found on Saturday in a church courtyard with wounds to the back of his head. A 2in-thick metal pipe found at the scene is believed to be the murder weapon, police said in a statement.

Earlier this year, Berbick was charged with assault for allegedly punching the woman, police said. She was detained last night and lives in Portland, 80 miles east of the Jamaican capital of Kingston, where Berbick also lived. The woman and her son were being questioned today.

Berbick was the last boxer to face Muhammad Ali in the ring and briefly held the WBC heavyweight title before losing it to Mike Tyson in 1986.

Assistant Police Commissioner Les Green said detectives were investigating whether a family conflict sparked the attack.

Berbick, who was believed to be 52, fought at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He defeated Ali by unanimous decision in the legendary champion’s final bout in 1981.

Berbick won the WBC heavyweight title in 1985 with a decision over Pinklon Thomas, but Tyson, who was then 20, knocked out Berbick in the second round on November 22, 1986 to become the youngest heavyweight champ.

Berbick fought from 1976 to 2000, finishing with a record of 50-11 with one draw and 33 knockouts.

After his retirement from the ring, Berbick was convicted in the US of sexual assault, theft and burglary.