Forget the kicking and wrestling, Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson will soon be where he should have been all along… busting heads in a boxing ring.
On Saturday, August 13, legendary street brawler Kimbo Slice will make his long-awaited professional boxing debut in the four-round main event of a Gary Shaw Productions and Tony Holden Promotions boxing extravaganza at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.
Slice became the Internet’s first street-certified action hero by smashing down a series of opponents in brutal backyard fist fights. The announcement is good news for fight fans, as he will surely administer a much-needed shot of adrenaline into the American heavyweight scene.
“Kimbo was always meant to be in the ring,” said Jared Shaw, Team Kimbo Promotional Advisor. “He’s one of the hardest punchers in the world and on August 13, his journey to becoming America’s heavyweight begins. The first stop will be Oklahoma in what will become the Kimbo Slice Express.”
Longtime friend and manager, Mike Imber, said that Slice has been training for his debut with his longtime boxing coach Randy Khatami and also spent some time in top-rated contender Alfredo Angulo’s camp, working with trainer Clemente Medina.
“He’s completely focused on his boxing career and excited to showcase his talents inside the squared circle,” continued Shaw. “Kimbo Slice is hungry and when that man wants his bread, he’s scary.”
Slice rose to worldwide prominence via the Internet and viral videos of a series of unlicensed street fights, each of which garnered millions of views. As a mixed martial artist, he competed for the EliteXC and UFC organizations and appeared on CBS, PPV and Showtime Network, going 4-2 against some of the world’s best competition. Slice drew record numbers of viewers to Spike, the Ultimate Fighter and in each of his network and cable bouts.
“Even in his losses, Kimbo brought a level of excitement that few fighters can generate,” said his promoter, Gary Shaw. “He is a genuine personality with unbelievable strength and character and we’re excited about his prospects in boxing. The minute he steps in the ring, he’ll be one of the most recognizable and talked-about fighters in the sport and his fans around the world will once again feel the excitement.”
“Kimbo’s been waiting for this and now it’s time,” added Imber.
Opponents and other matches on the card will be announced shortly. Tickets for the professional boxing debut of Kimbo Slice are priced at $38, $48 and $68 and will be available July 5 through www.buffalorun.com.
Joselito Collado Signs with Main Events
Totowa, NJ – Super Featherweight Joselito Collado of Queens, NY, 12-0, 3 KO’s, officially signed a promotional contract with Main Events this week. Collado’s last fight was April 9th, 2011 on the Adamek/McBride card when he fought Rafael Lora and won a 6 round decision. In the amateurs he fought Juan Manuel Lopez in Puerto Rico, he dropped Lopez, but lost a close decision.
Collado is making his Shobox debut on July 15th at Texas Station in Las Vegas against Casey Ramosof Austin, TX (13-0, 4 KO’s). The fight will be the opening bout of the Top Rank promotion.
“Signing with Main Events is my biggest win inside and outside the ring,” said Collado. “I am very excited to be working with them. I feel comfortable with my career in their hands.”
Manager, Jim Cognetta added, “Collado is on his way to another big win inside the ropes against Casey Ramos on July 15th”
Both of Collado’s trainers are thrilled with the Main Events affiliation. Trainer Gary Stark, Sr remarked, “It is great to have Main Events behind us, now Joselito will get the recognition that he deserves.” Trainer Andre Rozier said, “We are very happy to have signed with a promoter as great as Main Events. With a strong promotional company and team behind him Joselito will reach his goal of becoming champion of the world.”
Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO welcomes Collado, “We think Joselito is a terrific addition to our team of fighters. He has the heart, skills and determination we love about all of our fighters. It will be a pleasure to help guide him to a world championship.”
STAR BOXING ANNOUNCES TERRIFIC MAIN EVENT FOR KO CANCER SHOW
A press conference was held earlier today to announce the first annual “Knock Out Cancer” Boxing Benefit, presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, the American Cancer Society and Hunts Point Produce Market. The “Knock Out Cancer” event, which will be held outside at the Market Saturday July 23rd, will feature undefeated heavyweight prospect, Joe “The Future” Hanks (16-0, 11KO’s) as he looks to capture his first title in the heavyweight division when he takes on former member of Season 4 of “The Contender” Alfredo Escalera Jr. (18-3-1, 12KO’s). All the proceeds from the show will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
star boxing
The press conference, which was held at the beautiful Havanna Cafe in the Bronx, was well attended and included a number of media, old-time fighters from the Bronx, and local fighters on the show, as well as members from both the American Cancer Society and Hunts Point Produce Market. A number of the speakers at the podium touched on personal stories they had in their lives in where they were somehow effected by Cancer. One of the speakers in attendance, to share his thoughts on the show, as well as speak of the recent loss of his close friend and colleague was Showtime’s Boxing analyst Steve Farhood. Nick Charles, who worked side by side with Farhood, lost his battle to cancer just a few days ago.
“I have been working with the American Cancer Society on this concept for a few years now. It is rewarding that it will come to fruition right here in the Bronx,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing. “This will be a special event and I am pleased that we will be able to help in the fight against Cancer. Boxing and Cancer go together in a way, as both boxers and cancer victims must deal with their adversity with courage, determination and hard work. On July 23rd the boxers will be fighting in the ring and also for those cancer fighters out there worldwide that are fighting for their lives to beat this disease. Perhaps adding to the multi-dimensional fight against Cancer is that we are doing this event with, and at, the Hunts Point Produce Market. How fitting to have this fight at the home of the fruits and vegetable market that serves the entire NY area, considering fruits and vegetables are known to be the right choice for healthy eating. We expect the event on July 23rd to be a great success and plan on this being the first of many such events in the future.”
“The Knock Out Cancer event is a unique and exciting opportunity. The collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the Hunts Point Produce Market, in conjunction with Star Boxing will provide an opportunity to expose a hard to reach constituency, men, to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle while enjoying a great evening of boxing,” stated Ted Vlavianos, Regional Vice President for the American Cancer Society. “It is also a great event that has enabled us to bring these three great companies together to produce what promises to be one tremendous event right here at our home in the Bronx.”
“We are very excited about this event, and what it means to everyone involved,” stated Myra Gordon, Executive Administrator at the Hunts Point Produce Market. “Not only are we representing the Hunts Point Market, but we are representing all of the merchants and employers that we work with, and we couldn’t be more pleased about it. We are just so proud to be a partner in this great event and proud to be able to say that we are helping to prevent today’s loved ones from becoming tomorrow’s statistics.”
EVENT INFO
“Knock Out Cancer” will take place Saturday, July 23rd at the Hunt Point Produce Market, which is located at 772 Edgewater Road, Bronx, NY 10474. There are two title fights scheduled on the card, including Joe “The Future” Hanks (16-0, 11KO’s) taking on Alfredo Escalera Jr. (18-3-1, 12KO’s) for the IBA Americas Heavyweight Title in the main event, and Issouf Kinda (10-0, 5KO’s) taking on Bayan Jargal (15-2-3, 10KO’s) for the NYS Jr. Welterweight Title in the co-feature. Tickets to this special event are priced at $50, $75 and $100 and can be purchased by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the American Cancer Society at (718) 547- 5064 or visiting www.cancer.org. For information regarding sponsorship packages call Yilda Guerrero with the American Cancer Society at (718) 547-5064, etc. 2101. Doors open at 6:00PM with the first bout scheduled for 7:15PM. More information regarding the bouts will be announced within the coming weeks.