- Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
The Berbick family in mourning. From left are Trisha, daughter; Charles, nephew; and Nadine, widow of the late Trevor Berbick, leaving the Christ Church, Port Antonio, after the service of thanksgiving for the life of the late heavywieght boxing champion yesterday.

Gareth Davis, Sunday Gleaner Writer

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick was buried with a pair of red boxing gloves and robe in the family plot at Norwich, Portland.

A host of foreigners from North America, along with local politicians, family members and other distinguished guests packed the Christ Church in Port Antonio at a thanksgiving service honouring the life of the former boxing champ, who was brutally murdered near his Norwich home two weeks ago.

General secretary of the Jamaica Boxing Board, Leroy Brown, lauded the achievements of Berbick, who he said had determination and discipline second to none, and should be emulated by all.

Dream of building gym

"He had a dream of building a boxing gym in Portland, for the youth of the various communities," said Mr. Brown. "Unfortunately he was robbed of that opportunity as a result of his brutal death. However, we at the Jamaica Boxing Board was determined to fulfil that dream and every attempt will be made to ensure that the gym is built," the boxing official added.

He also made a special appeal to the business sector for assistance with the construction of the boxing gym, which he said would go a far way in enhancing the talents of youths in the parish.

"It would be wonderful and fitting if Portland could once again defy the odds and produce another world champion, this time from the Trevor Berbick Memorial Gym," declared Brown.

Offered advice

Fighting back tears, Berbick's sisters Elaine and Beverly expressed regret at the passing of their beloved brother, who they claimed was inspirational in their upbringing. They described the former boxer as the kind of person who offered advice and counselling amid his own problems.

"Our brother has created a positive impact, on the lives of not (only) us family members, but also those who have come to know him," they said. "This family remains committed and loyal, and there is enough love left within us to fill this church."

The former boxer was born on August 1, 1952.