Berbick Says He Received Money He Was Owed for Tyson Fight

Trevor Berbick, former heavyweight boxing champion, said Monday that he received all the money he was due from his November title fight against Mike Tyson and is pleased with promoter Don King “because he helped me when I was down.”

Berbick did not dispute that about half of his $2.1-million purse went to King and his son, Carl, for previous advances and managerial fees, but said that made no difference to him.

“I got all the money that was coming to me,” he said. “I paid him back. He gave it to me interest free.”

Members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission had expressed concern over advances of $500,000 given to Berbick and the manner in which Carl King’s $500,000 cut for being Berbick’s manager was paid.

Under commission regulations, fighters can only be given advances out of their purses for training and travel expenses. Those advances must be approved by the commission.

Commissioners said they approved $100,000 in advances but not the other $400,000.

Berbick said he was so concerned about statements made by commissioners about his purse that he flew from Miami to New York over the weekend to confer with King.