Sherman Bergman Youtube Videos
Sherman Bergman Bio
Sherman Bergman (nicknamed "Big Train" for his locomotive-like fighting style) is a retired Golden Glove boxer and kickboxer from Florida. During his fistic career, Bergman had the unique experience of competing against three fighters who would go on to becoming successful motion picture actors: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mickey Rourke, and Gary Daniels,.
Amateur boxing [edit]
Sherman Bergman was an amateur boxer in Florida from 1973-1983. He competed in 4-Golden Gloves Tournaments and compiled a record of 17-4 (17 knockouts). He held memberships in the Amateur Athletic Union,the Florida Gold Coast Association, the Golden Gloves Association of America and the USA Amateur Boxing Federation.
Bergman trained at the 5th Street Gym and the Elizabeth Varrick Gym in Miami-Dade County. His trainers included Hyman Hank Bergman (Bergman's father), Jose Maceo, Eddie Ludlow, Gary Ritter, Isaac Sved, and former World Lightweight Boxing Champion Beau Jack. The legendary cornerman Benjamin "Evil Eye" Finkle worked Bergman's corner for two matches.
Bergman's opponents included Phillip Rourke (who would go on to a movie career as Mickey Rourke. Rourke climbed off the canvas to knock out Bergman in the first round), and Larry Byrd(At the 1981 Southern Regional Golden Gloves in Coconut Grove, Florida,600 fans turned out for Bergman's bout with Byrd; Byrd scored a first round technical knockout).
Also, at the 5th Street Gym, Bergman worked as a sparring partner for future World Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton, and heavyweight contender Rodney Bobick.
Amateur Boxing Record(Career Highlights) [edit]
Kickboxing career [edit]
Bergman's kickboxing career spanned from 1979-2010. He compiled a record of 56-8-1 (56 knockouts) and was trained by his father, Hank Bergman.
In the November 1984 issue of Official Karate Magazine, in his column "Southern Exposure", Barry Harrell called Sherman Bergman "One of the best new prospects on his way to the top. "
Bergman's biggest knockout victories were over Wilver "Rio" Johnson (18 seconds), Morsak Muangsu (23 seconds), Alejandro DasCola, and Bernardo Jua.
The STAR System World Kickboxing Ratings for professional kickboxing, listed Bergman briefly as a designated contender in the World SuperWelterweight Rankings.
Most mainstream fans remember Bergman for his losses to Jean-Claude Van Damme in 1979 (Bergman knocked Van Damme down in their match, but Van Damme arose to knockout Bergman with an axe-kick at 56 seconds of the 1st round), and to Gary Daniels (future PKA World Lightheavyweight Champion) in 1980.
Kickboxing Record (Career Highlights) [edit]
Muay Thai Record [edit]
Mentoring and Coaching Career [edit]
Sherman Bergman mentored and coached South American martial artists living in South Florida from 2002 and 2004.
Among his most successful students were karate point-fighting champions Jeronimo Solis (Uruguay), Martin Rebollo (Uruguay), Luis Anibal Carvalho (Chile), and Derwin Portilla (Uruguay).
Personal life [edit]
Bergman was born in Miami Beach, Florida and graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School. As a high school senior, he worked as a boxing reporter for the GLOVE (a boxing newspaper based out of California).
Bergman earned an Associate in Arts Degree with honors from Miami Dade College. He also received a Bachlors Degree in Psychology from Florida International University, and graduated with a Masters Degree in TESOL (English as a second language) from Nova Southeastern University.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools [edit]
In 1981, Bergman began a teaching career with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He taught ESOL (English as a second language) to recent Cuban refugees from the Mariel boatlift for Adult and Vocational Education.
At the Fienberg-Fisher Adult and Community Education Center, Bergman was the Center's 1995 Teacher of The Year. In 2009 Bergman was one of nine finalists for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, 2008-2009 Elayne Weisburd Excellence in Education Award.
Bergman also taught GED, Pre-GED, Citizenship, Vocational Education, and ESOL Computer Lab courses.
Acting [edit]
Bergman studied acting with the drama teacher Jay W. Jensen. Jensen's students included Andy GarcÃa, Brett Ratner, and Mickey Rourke.
As a child, Bergman appeared on the television shows: The Skipper Chuck Show, Jumping Jack, Charlie Baxter's Big Top, and Banjo Billy. He also acted in the stage play 10,000 Baskets directed by Lois Brooks.
Bergman worked as an actor, extra, and stunt performer in both film and in Dinner Theatre productions.
Footnotes [edit]
References [edit]
- Miami Herald, Sunday, March 28, 2010, SPORTS SCENE, page 27NE, WATCH THE LEFT:Sherman "Big Train" Bergman, 51, of Miami Beach returned to kickboxing..., David Epstein for the Miami Herald.
- Miami Herald, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, Sports Section, page 6D, Kickboxing: 'BIG TRAIN' IS DONE, by Jim Varsallone.
- Miami Herald, Thursday, August 7, 2008, pages 11–12, Neighbors: SCHOOL SCENE, FIGHTING FOR RONALD, by Micaela Hood.
- Tre Today News (Xuat Tinh Som), December 31, 2007: "SAO" & "SAO": JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME.
- Day by Day in Jewish Sports History by Bob Wechsler, Publisher: KTAV Publishing House, Inc., Published date: October 2007, Sherman Bergman, pages 197, 386.
- Miami Herald, November 28, 2004, Neighbors, page 37: MARTIAL ARTS.
- Miami Herald, October 3, 2004, MB, page 32: KARATE CHAMPS.
- Miami Herald, Sunday, August 22, 2004, Neighbors MB, page 37:KNOCKOUT KICKBOXERS.
- Miami Herald, May 23, 2004, MB, page 30: KARATE CHAMPS.
- Miami Herald, April 11, 2004 MB, page 27: KARATE CHAMPS.
- Miami Herald, Sunday, February 2, 2003 MB, page 26: CHAMPIONS.
- Miami Herald, August 18, 2002, NeighborsBC, page 28 MB: ESOL STUDENTS PLACE IN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
- Fien-Print, Volume 1, Issue 9-Summer 2002, page 3: IT'S NEVER TOO LATE-SHERMAN BERGMAN IS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL, by Jairo Naranjo.
- The Chalkboard, April 2001, Volume 1, Issue 5: SHERMAN BERGMAN, by Jairo Naranjo.
- Miami Herald, Sunday, August 13, 2000, Neighbors MB, page 4: INSTRUCTOR MARTIALS HIS STUDENTS TO SUCCEED by Melisma Cox.
- EDWORKS, Premiere '99, page 6: FACULTY FOCUS-HE'S A WINNER!, IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THE RING.
- Black Belt Magazine, September 1998, page 168: LETTERS: UFC WIN SPURS COMEBACK.
- Miami Herald, Thursday, September 24, 1995, 4, Neighbors MB: BOXER'S REAL KICK IS TEACHING.
- Miami Herald Thursday, September 24, 1995, Neighbors NMB: BOXER'S REAL KICK IS TEACHING ENGLISH, by Moshe Alexenberg.
- Fundacao USA Brasil, December 1993, page 3, CHAMPION OUR CHAMPION, by Vera Lins Ferst.
- Miami Herald, ?/?/1993, Speak Out: KICK-BOXING HELPS TEACH.
- Miami Herald, Sunday, September 22, 1991 MB, page 38: TEACHER GETS HIS KICKS IN CLASSROOM AND RING
- Miami Herald, July 12, 1990, 6, Neighbors MB: KICKBOXER INSPIRES STUDENTS, by Johnny Diaz.
- The Trendsetter, Vol. 2, No. 1, September/October 1989, page 5: INSPIRATION.
- Miami Herald, September 29, 1988, Neighbors MB: NEIGHBORS IN SPORTS-SHERMAN BERGMAN IS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL, by Jeremy Kroll.
- Official Karate Magazine, November 1985, page 14: SOUTHERN EXPOSURE by Barry Harrell.
- Official Karate Magazine, November 1984, page 14: SOUTHERN EXPOSURE by Barry Harrell.
- STAR System World Kickboxing Ratings
External links [edit]
- Sherman Bergman at the Internet Movie Database
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