Bermane Stiverne: Mike Tyson, Haiti and the WBC Heavyweight Belt
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Exclusive Interview by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Photos Courtesy of Eye Of The Tiger Management
“I don’t really have any thoughts about him (Deontay Wilder). I am just happy to be able to make my first defense whenever it happens. It seems like that is the fight the fans want to see, and that’s what they will get.”—Bermane Stiverne
In 2011, Bermane Stiverne would put the boxing world on notice when he defeated tough veteran Ray Austin via a 10th round TKO. It would take him almost two years to land another big name fight, but when he did, on April 27, 2013, he would beat highly rated Chris Arreola from pillar to post pulling out a 12 round unanimous decision. Almost a year later, he would face Arreola again for the WBC Heavyweight Title vacated by then Champion, Vitali Klitschko, who retired to pursue a life in politics. This time around, Stiverne only needed six rounds to defeat Arreola and have his hand raised as the NEW WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Stiverne, has breathed life into a heavyweight division that badly was on life support for many years.
BB: You are on the verge of a big fight with Deontay Wilder. What are your thoughts about him as your first title defense?
I don’t really have any thoughts about him. I am just happy to be able to make my first defense whenever it happens. It seems like that is the fight the fans want to see, and that’s what they will get.
BB: You’re from La Plaine Haiti. What is one thing you can share about your country that the average person would be surprised to hear?
Haiti is the first independent black country in the world, since 1804, but there are so many other beautiful things about it as well.
BB: What changed, if anything in you as a person when your hand was raised as the new WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World?
Nothing really changed. I pretty much learned that once you put your mind and soul into something, it pays off, not just in my career, but in my everyday life.
BB: Though I don’t feel a sports star is required to be a role model for children, it’s refreshing to see one that is. What are your thoughts on this?
Personally with the position that I have at the moment, as well as being a parent, I have no choice, but to be a role model for these children. It’s the responsibility that comes with the crown.
BB: As a child, who was the one fighter you looked up to the most and why?
Mike Tyson. I just thought he wasn’t playing any games when it was time to deliver. I think he’s doing a great job today and I still look up to him.
BB: What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about the sport of boxing?
That boxing isn’t a sport, but a business.
BB: What is the one thing about yourself that your fans would be surprised to hear?
I am a musician.
BB: If you didn’t get into boxing, what type of work would you have done?
Well, football was my first love. I’d probably be working with kids, in anything that involves them.
BB: Do you favor a mandatory retirement for all boxers and if so, how do you think it can finally be accomplished?
Why not? How? I don’t know.
BB: Finally, what is the saying you live your life by?
“Make today count, you’ll never get it back.”
(Interviewers Note: I would like to thank Bob Trieger of Full Court PRESS for coordinating this interview.)
Bermane Stiverne
Division: Heavyweight
Professional Record: 24-1-1, 21 KO’s
Date Opponent W-L-D Location Result
2014-05-10 Chris Arreola 35-3-0 Los Angeles, US W TKO 6
vacant WBC Heavyweight Title
2013-04-27 Chris Arreola 34-2-0 Ontario, US W UD 12
WBC Silver Heavyweight Title
2012-04-14 Willie Herring 13-10-3 Miami, US W UD 8
2011-06-25 Ray Austin 28-5-4 Saint Charles, US W TKO 10
vacant WBC Silver Heavyweight Title
2011-01-29 Kertson Manswell 20-0-0 Pontiac, US W TKO 2
vacant WBC International Heavyweight Title
vacant WBC United States (USNBC) Heavyweight Title
vacant WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Title
2010-11-11 Ramon Hayes 15-31-1 Montreal, CA W KO 1
2009-10-31 Jerry Butler 8-6-1 Las Vegas, US W TKO 7
2009-04-24 Charles Davis 17-17-1 Saint Louis, US D MD 6
2009-02-14 Robert Hawkins 23-12-0 Sunrise, US W UD 8
2008-12-20 Lyle McDowell 27-11-1 Zurich, CH W KO 1
2008-07-11 Brad Gregory 10-0-0 Montreal, CA W TKO 1
2008-03-27 Jimmy Haynes 18-14-2 Saint Louis, US W KO 1
2007-10-06 Edward Gutierrez 15-4-1 New York, US W TKO 1
2007-07-07 Demetrice King 11-15-0 Bridgeport, US L TKO 4
2007-04-28 Earl Ladson 12-15-1 Mashantucket, US W KO 3
2007-03-02 John Clark 12-9-1 Belterra, US W TKO 1
2007-02-03 Harold Sconiers 15-16-2 Kissimmee, US W KO 1
2007-01-06 Otis Mills 5-2-1 Hollywood, US W TKO 1
2006-10-07 Charles Brown 6-11-1 Rosemont, US W KO 2
2006-07-08 Franklin Lawrence 4-0-0 Saint Louis, US W TKO 1
2006-04-08 Marcus Dear 2-1-0 Las Vegas, US W TKO 3
2006-01-07 John Turlington 5-7-1 New York, US W TKO 1
2005-12-01 James Harrison 1-3-0 North Charleston, US W TKO 1
2005-10-27 Gary Lavender 0-4-0 North Charleston, US W TKO 1
2005-09-09 Benny Bland 0-2-0 Morgantown, US W TKO 1
2005-07-29 Roy Matthews 1-1-0 North Charleston, US W TKO 1