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Mike Bernardo

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Not to be confused with Michael Bernardo.

Mike Barnardo
BornMichael Shawn Barnardo
(1969-07-28)28 July 1969
Fishhoek, Cape Town, South Africa
Died14 February 2012(2012-02-14) (aged 42)
Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
Other namesBeru-chan
NationalitySouth African
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight110 kg (243 lb; 17 st 5 lb)
DivisionSuper Heavyweight
StyleBoxing, Kickboxing, Kyokushin
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofWynberg, South Africa
TeamSteve's Gym
TrainerSteve Kalakoda
Years active14 (1990–2004)
Professional boxing record
Total13
Wins11
By knockout9
Losses1
By knockout1
Draws1
Kickboxing record
Total77
Wins54
By knockout42
Losses18
By knockout12
Draws3
No contests2
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Michael "Mike" Bernardo (28 July 1969 – 14 February 2012) was a South African kickboxer and boxer from Cape Town. Bernardo was known as Beru-chan in Japan, where he has taken part in K-1 World GPs since 1994.[1] He holds notable wins over Mirko Cro Cop, Andy Hug, Francisco Filho, Branko Cikatic, Stan Longinidis and 3 straight wins over K-1 legend Peter Aerts.

Biography

Mike Bernardo was of Italian and English heritage and was born in Fishhoek near Cape Town on 28 July 1969. His surname was actually Barnardo, but most people knew him as Bernardo. When he was younger, bullies often picked on him and beat him up. Bernardo started with Kyokushin to deal with his bullies: "I started Karate when I was, 12, 13 years old. The reason why I started was, because as a youngster I was quite tall but not strong. A lot of children at school were in gangs and they would always pick on me and beat me up because I was a big guy so they could prove their friends they were stronger. I took up martial arts lessons and went back to school and when they started to pick on me again and try to beat me up, I beat them all up."[2]

Being a keen all-round sportsman, Mike Bernardo tried to do as many sports as he could. Besides karate, he started surfing when he was six, played numerous other sports but the one that he liked to play the most was rugby. After he kept getting sent off for fighting, Bernardo knew he had to make the transition from rugby to fighting sports.[3]

Kickboxing career

It was under the guidance of former boxing champion Steve Kalakoda where Mike Bernardo received his kickboxing training. He met Kalakoda during his compulsory military service where the latter worked as a physical training instructor in the navy. Bernardo quickly established a fearsome reputation as a heavy-hitting knockout fighter. After fights in South Africa, Italy and Russia Bernardo got invited through one of England’s promoters to fight in K-1. He made his debut in the K-1 World Grand Prix 1995 against Andy Hug. Bernardo pulled off the shocking win via third round stoppage.[4]

One of his biggest successes came early in his career. In 1996, just one year into his K-1 run, Mike Bernardo competed in the K-1 World Grand Prix for the second time. Bernardo faced a tough task as he would meet Peter Aerts in the first round of the tournament. Just as he did against Hug one year before, Bernardo scored a big upset with a huge right cross that knocked the former K-1 World Grand Prix champion out. Bernardo made it to the finals that year, ultimately losing to Andy Hug in a great fight. Bernardo’s other major success took place in 2000 when he won the K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka, beating Jörgen Kruth, Andrew Thompson and then Mirko Cro Cop in the final. He won all three fights that night by KO.

Though he never did win the K-1 World Grand Prix crown, Bernardo proved he could hang with the very best fighters. In his career he faced all of the K-1’s best - including Jerome Le Banner, Andy Hug, Peter Aerts, Ernesto Hoost and Francisco Filho - and at some point in their career, nearly all of them found themselves on the receiving end of a KO. On New Year's Eve of 2004, Bernardo was going to face Nigerian fighter Bobby Ologun in "K1-Dynamite!", but couldn't take part in the event due to a neck injury and retired from K-1.

Boxing career

In addition to his K-1 career, Mike Bernardo made his professional boxing debut on 28 February 1993, against Delius Musemwa. Mike was able to knock out Delius in the third round. In the second bout he lost by TKO for the first round against little lighter opponent Anton Nel on 7. April 1993. After a string of victories he won the vacant WBF title against Dan Jerling by defeating the Czechoslovakian fighter in the sixth round by KO. The bout took place in May 2000. In 2001, on 8 June, Mike Bernardo defended his WBF title against Peter McNeeley in Cape Town and knocked McNeely out in just 41 seconds. In May 2002, due to being inactive for long, Bernardo was stripped of the belt.[5]

Religion

Mike Bernardo was a deeply religious man. His belief in God played an important role in his fighting career and life: "Before the fight I say a prayer that God keep us both safe. And his will be done. In my heart there's no vengeance, I don't wanna inflict pain just because I want to inflict pain, but because I want to compete against the person that I am competing with. We're both competitors in the same line of work and we're just putting our skills together to see who's better than the other one on the day. My message is that there is hope for all of us, there's hope for every single one. Jesus is the saviour, and he's the way to offer hope, love, and also hope in healing as well. And with him with us we can achieve anything we want to achieve. That is my message."[6]

Death

After Mike Bernardo ended his fighting career he studied and qualified as a clinical psychologist. He had a practice in Lakeside Cape Town where he offered trauma and addiction counseling with troubled youth. He also started a promotional MMA company with his old trainer Steve Kalakoda. He would often be seen enjoying a ride around the Cape Peninsula on his customized "Dragonslayer" Chopper. During the last two years of his life, he battled deep depression and anxiety which was believed to have been caused by him being heavily bullied throughout his childhood and youth. On 14 February 2012, Bernardo was found dead by his family at his apartment in Muizenberg. The cause of his death is uncertain.[7]

Titles and accomplishments

Fight record

Kickboxing Record
54 Wins (42 (T)KO's, 12 decisions), 18 Losses, 3 Draws, 1 No Contest
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2004-11-06 Draw Thailand Kaoklai Kaennorsing Titans 1st Kitakyushu, Japan Draw 3 3:00
2004-09-18 Win Switzerland Petar Majstorovic K-1 W.K.A. Championships Basel, Switzerland Decision 5 3:00
Wins vacant title of W.K.A. Muay Thai World Super Heavyweight(+95kg/+210lbs) title.
2004-06-26 Loss Japan Tatsufumi Tomihira K-1 Beast 2004 in Shizuoka Quarter Finals Shizuoka, Japan KO (Strikes) 1 1:09
2004-03-27 Loss South Africa Jan Nortje K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Saitama Saitama, Japan TKO (3 Knockdowns) 1 2:32
2003-10-31 Win Belarus Sergei Gur K-1 Final Fight Stars War in Zagreb Zagreb, Croatia TKO (Referee Stoppage) 2 N/A
2003-10-11 Loss Belarus Alexey Ignashov K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 Final Elimination Osaka, Japan KO (Right Punch and Right Low Kick) 2 2:21
Fails to qualify for the K-1 World Grand Prix '03 Final.
2003-04-06 Win United States Eric Esch K-1 Survival 2003 Japan Grand Prix Final Yokohama, Japan KO (Right Head Kick) 2 1:10
2003-07-13 Draw Brazil Francisco Filho K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan Draw 5 3:00
2003-04-06 Win Japan Tsuyoshi Nakasako K-1 Beast 2003 Yamagata, Japan TKO (Strikes) 2 1:02
2002-12-31 Win Trinidad and Tobago Gary Goodridge Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002 Saitama, Japan KO (Right Hook) 1 2:12
2002-10-05 Loss New Zealand Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Elimination Saitama, Japan Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) 4 3:00
Fails to qualify for the K-1 World Grand Prix '02 Final.
2002-09-22 Win United States Tom Erikson K-1 Andy Spirits Japan GP 2002 Final Osaka, Japan KO (Right Hook) 1 2:30
2002-08-17 Loss Trinidad and Tobago Gary Goodridge K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA KO (Punches) 1 1:38
Despite loss qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Elimination as invitee.
2002-03-03 Loss New Zealand Ray Sefo K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Nagoya Nagoya, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2001-12-08 Win Australia Adam Watt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2001-10-08 Loss Australia Adam Watt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Fukuoka Quarter Finals Fukuoka, Japan TKO (2 Knockdowns) 1 2:27
2001-07-20 Win Netherlands Lloyd van Dams K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Nagoya Semi Finals Nagoya, Japan Ext.R Decision (Majority) 4 3:00
Despite winning Bernardo was unable to participate in final due to injury.
2001-07-20 Win Japan Takeru K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Nagoya Quarter Finals Nagoya, Japan TKO (Corner Stoppage) 2 1:40
2001-03-17 NC France Jérôme Le Banner K-1 Gladiators 2001 Yokohama, Japan No Contest 1 3:00
2001-01-30 Win Japan Hiromi Amada K-1 Rising 2001 Matsuyama, Japan TKO (Corner Stoppage) 4 1:32
2000-10-09 Win Croatia Mirko Cro Cop K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Fukuoka Final Fukuoka, Japan TKO (Corner Stoppage) 1 1:07
Wins K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Fukuoka.
2000-10-09 Win South Africa Andrew Thomson K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Fukuoka Semi Finals Fukuoka, Japan TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 1 0:34
2000-10-09 Win Sweden Jörgen Kruth K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Fukuoka Quarter Finals Fukuoka, Japan KO (Right Hook) 1 2:24
2000-09-03 Win Brazil Sergio Espedito K-1 Africa Grand Prix 2000 Cape Town, South Africa KO (Straight Right Punch) 1 N/A
1999-10-03 Loss Croatia Mirko Cro Cop K-1 World Grand Prix '99 Opening Round Osaka, Japan TKO (3 Knockdowns) 1 1:20
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix '99 Final.
1999-08-22 Win New Zealand Rony Sefo K-1 Spirits '99 Tokyo, Japan KO (Left Hook) 4 1:24
1999-06-20 Loss Australia Sam Greco K-1 Braves '99 Fukuoka, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Losses W.A.K.O. Pro Muay Thai World Super Heavyweight(+94.1kg) title.
1999-04-25 Win Japan Masaaki Satake K-1 Revenge '99 Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1998-12-13 Loss Netherlands Peter Aerts K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan TKO (2 Knockdowns) 1 2:53
1998-12-13 Win Brazil Francisco Filho K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right Overhand) 3 1:35
1998-10-28 Win Thailand Sadau Kiatsongrit K-1 Japan '98 Kamikaze Tokyo, Japan TKO (Corner Stoppage) 2 2:00
1998-09-27 Win United States Maurice Smith K-1 World Grand Prix '98 Opening Round Osaka, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix '98 Final.
1998-08-28 Win South Africa Andrew Thomson K-1 Japan Grand Prix '98 Tokyo, Japan TKO (Referee Stoppage) 1 3:03
1998-04-09 Win Brazil Glaube Feitosa K-1 Dream '98 Nagoya, Japan TKO (3 Knockdowns) 1 1:42
1998-04-09 Win Wales Gordon Minors K-1 Kings '98 Yokohama, Japan KO (Punch) 2 2:05
Wins Minors' WAKO Muay Thai World Super Heavyweight title.
1997-09-27 Win United States Mike Vieira K-1 Grand Prix '97 1st Round Osaka, Japan TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 1 0:38
1997-11-09 Loss Netherlands Peter Aerts K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan TKO (Right High Kick and Right Straight to the Body) 3 1:17
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix '97 Final.
1997-04-29 Loss Switzerland Andy Hug K-1 Fight Night '97 Zurich, Switzerland Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Fight was for Andy's W.K.A. World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight title.
1997-04-29 Loss Netherlands Ernesto Hoost K-1 Braves '97 Fukuoka, Japan TKO (Referee Stoppage) 4 1:03
1997-03-16 Win Japan Masaaki Satake K-1 Kings '97 Yokohama, Japan KO (Right Uppercut) 2 1:24
1996-12-08 Draw Australia Stan Longinidis K-1 Hercules '96 Nagoya, Japan Draw 5 3:00
1996-10-18 Win Netherlands Peter Aerts K-1 Star Wars '96 Yokohama, Japan KO (Right Hook) 3 2:37
1996-09-01 Win Netherlands Peter Aerts K-1 Revenge '96 Osaka, Japan DQ (Groin Kick) 1 1:21
1996-05-06 Loss Switzerland Andy Hug K-1 Grand Prix '96 Final Yokohama, Japan KO (Left Spinning Low Kick) 2 1:18
Fight was for K-1 World Grand Prix '96.
1996-05-06 Win Japan Musashi K-1 Grand Prix '96 Semi Finals Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
1996-05-06 Win Netherlands Peter Aerts K-1 Grand Prix '96 Quarter Finals Yokohama, Japan KO (Left Hook) 3 0:13
1996-03-10 Win United States Jeff Roufus K-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battle Yokohama, Japan TKO (Strikes) 2 1:37
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix '96 Final.
1995-12-09 Loss Netherlands Peter Aerts K-1 Hercules Nagoya, Japan KO (Right Hook) 1 0:40
1995-09-03 Win Switzerland Andy Hug K-1 Revenge II Yokohama, Japan KO (Punch) 2 2:43
1995-05-04 Loss France Jérôme Le Banner K-1 Grand Prix '95 Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right Low Kick) 2 3:05
1995-05-04 Win Australia Stan Longinidis K-1 Grand Prix '95 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right High Kick) 3 1:42
1995-03-03 Win Switzerland Andy Hug K-1 Grand Prix '95 Opening Battle Tokyo, Japan TKO (Corner Stoppage) 3 2:39
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix '95 Final.
1994-00-00 Loss France Jérôme Le Banner I.S.K.A. Intercontinental Championship Cape Town, South Africa Decision (Unanimous) 10 2:00
Fight was for I.S.K.A. Intercontinental title.
Boxing Record
11 Wins (9 (T)KO's, 2 decisions), 1 Loss, 1 Draw
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record
2001-06-08 Win United States Peter McNeeley K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Preliminary South Africa Cape Town, South Africa TKO 1 0:41 11-1-1
Wins World Boxing Foundation (W.B.F.) World Heavyweight Title.
2000-07-30 Draw Australia Justin Fortune Nagoya, Japan TD 1 N/A 10-1-1
2000-05-12 Win Czech Republic Daniel Jerling Szekszárd, Hungary TKO 6 N/A 10-1
2000-01-21 Win United States Scott Conner Chicago, Illinois, USA TKO 2 N/A 9-1
1996-03-31 Win United States Juan Quintana Portland, Maine, USA PTS 6 3:00 8-1
1995-12-02 Win Argentina Alberto Toribio Coman Cape Town, South Africa TKO 4 N/A 7-1
1995-09-10 Win Mexico Hector Fernandez Tijuana, Mexico KO 1 N/A 6-1
1994-11-27 Win South Africa Themba Msweli Cape Town, South Africa KO 3 N/A 5-1
1994-05-18 Win South Africa Nzuzu Manyube Cape Town, South Africa TKO 1 N/A 4-1
1993-11-06 Win Zambia Matthews Zulu Sun City, South Africa PTS 4 3:00 3-1
1993-07-25 Win South Africa Graham Makazi Cape Town, South Africa KO 1 N/A 2-1
1993-04-06 Loss South Africa Anton Nel Temba, South Africa TKO 1 N/A 1-1
1993-02-28 Win South Africa Delias Musemwa Cape Town, South Africa KO 3 N/A 1-0
MMA Record
1 Draw
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record
2001-12-31 Draw Japan Nobuhiko Takada Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001 Saitama, Japan Draw 3 3:00 0-0-1

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References

  1. ^ "K-1 fighter profile".[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ K-1 Superfighter: This is Mike Bernardo
  3. ^ http://kakutougi.info/content/view/238/[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ http://kakutougi.info/content/view/238/[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ Kampfsportler, Vereinigung Christlicher. "Vereinigung Christlicher Kampfsportler Mike Bernardo En". www.vck-web.org.
  7. ^ "Former SA fighter dies". Sport24. Retrieved 14 February 2012.

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