Written by Ralph Gonzalez
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Tuesday, May 27 2008
Kimbo Slice is the headliner as Elite XC debuts on CBS prime time. His ability to become a mainstream star could make or break the promotion.
“Dana White is a j***-off. That’s what Dana White is. He’s a f***ing idiot and you can quote me on that," stated Promoter Gary Shaw after he was asked to comment on Dana White’s assertion that B.J. Penn could defeat his much hyped headliner “Kimbo" Slice who faces James “Colossus" Thompson on Saturday night’s Elite XC event. The choice words for the U.F.C. president didn’t end there. “If he cared about mixed martial arts and the sport instead of caring about his big-a** swimming pool and his own personal gains, he would understand that statements like that make someone into a jerk."
“First of all, I love B.J. Penn and he is a friend of mine. And his brother J.D. Penn works with our company," continued Shaw. “Kimbo Slice with one shot would knock out B.J. Penn, a 155 pounder. But they’re never going to fight. It’s an idiotic statement from a complete idiot."
“Kimbo doesn’t need to say anything at all. But I understand you’re the messenger. I don’t mean it against you, but this is a conference call about fighters, two fighters fighting each other and a real competitive match-up on a first-ever CBS live MMA event, and Dana White is an idiot," stated Shaw. “And if he wasn’t an idiot, May 31st would’ve been the UFC instead of EliteXC. I rest my case."
Kimbo Slice fielded questions from reporters pretty well for a newcomer to the huge spotlight that CBS is shining on him. He spoke about his trainer, MMA great, Bas Rutten. “Bas is the man. You know what I’m saying; Can’t get a better trainer, a better coach, a better adviser of the sport and of the game," said Slice. “I mean he explains everything to me. The what and the why. I can understand the cause and effect of everything, and I wouldn’t want to change that."
Kimbo, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, grew up in a harsh South Florida neighborhood where fighting was the norm. “I actually went to schools -- Cutler Ridge Middle, Bel-Air Elementary, Richmond Middle and also Palmetto Senior High," he recounted. “You know those neighborhoods are pretty rough, (but) it was school. (If it is time to throw down), we’ve got to throw it down."
The 34 year old rocketed to instant fame through his popular backyard beatdowns which were seen by millions on YouTube. He credits those fights and mixed martial arts for a new chance at life. “It’s changed my life tremendously. I’ve learned – I guess that I’ve learned -- discipline. I’ve learned (commitmentship). I’ve learned to be more loyal to something that I love (besides) my family,"? said Slice. “When I’m in training mode, it’s a three-month or for however long (stint). There’s no drugs, there’s no smoking, there’s no drinking and there’s no sex. And that’s some serious (commitmentship) and I’m loyal."
Gary Shaw recalled the first time he saw Kimbo Slice on You Tube. His son, Jared, Brought the Bahamian born brawler to his attention. “When I saw him, obviously the very first thought in my mind is he’s a purebred heavyweight fighter. I watched the way he moved," said Shaw. “He reminded me of Tyson. He has natural head movement. He fought side to side. He did things very naturally. I didn’t think of him as a backyard or a street fighter. I immediately thought of him in boxing."
“Jared then told me, ‘Dad, he’s training in MMA, and I believe he’s training with Bas Rutten.’ That’s all I needed to know. And having an MMA company, I put two guys on a plane," said Shaw. “There’s no more to the story. I sent them to Florida. I told them, ‘Don’t come back (until) we had Kimbo Slice’s signature not only on a piece of paper but every page of the contract."
That’s when Kimbo’s rollercoaster life finally hit an upswing which just keeps moving upward. He plans to keep it that way. “This does mean something to me. I’m fighting for a reason. I’m fighting for my family. I’m fighting for myself," said Slice. “I’m fighting to never go back into the gutter again. I’m fighting to raise my kids up to be in a different environment. There’s a lot I’m fighting for."
He expects that Thompson will take the fight to the ground where Slice’s skills are still into question. “I’m expecting to do some of my ground game. Man, you don’t understand. I’m more excited about going to the ground than I am standing up right now," he said. “You know the last quarter of our training has been ground, ground and ground. I’m really looking forward to that right now."
So what’s with America’s fascination with Kimbo Slice and his fights? Slice compares himself and his fellow fighters to the Roman gladiators of the past. “People love to be entertained. You know man to man. That’s what people love. Luckily for me, I’m one of those gladiators. I love to fight. I love to perform. It’s your move and my move. It’s one on one," said Slice. “You know I can take a punch. Can you take a punch? You know you’re going to put me in a move. I’m going to try to get out and I’m going to slip you in a move. And that’s what it’s about."
The notoriety Slice has experienced has been overwhelming. He’s recognized virtually every where he goes. “Yes, I’ve been all around and I’m getting that and, you know, that’s good. That’s good that we’re able to be a positive influence on the public; that people are getting more involved," stated Slice. “That’s a good thing because that means that we are part of -- you know James, myself and everybody on this fight card -- we’re going to show America that this really is a sport."
Kimbo Slice will be taking on James “Colossus" Thompson as the main event of the Elite XC card on Saturday May 31st. on CBS from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Also on the card: Gina Carano will take on Kaitlin Young, Phil Baroni and Joe Villasenor will mix it up in what should be a full fledged shootout and Robbie Lawler takes on Scott Smith.
For more on the event go to www.elitexc.com
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