Kimbo Slice Returns to the Ring on Oct. 15

YouTube sensation and former mixed martial artist Kimbo Slice aka Kevin Ferguson will return to the ring for his second professional boxing match on October 15 when he takes on Tay Bledsoe in a four-round heavyweight contest at Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Ferguson’s first fight was an immediate KO of James Wade (0-1) in Oklahoma last month that didn’t reveal much about his ability as a pugilist. He does own a victory over former heavyweight beltholder and Olympic gold medalist Ray Mercer, albeit via a guillotine choke in his 2007 mixed martial arts debut. He finished his MMA career with a record of 4-2, losing at UFC 113 on strikes to Matt Mitrione last May and getting cut by Dana White soon after.

Slice is working with well-known trainer John David Jackson and is co-promoted by Gary Shaw, who lend some legitimacy to his new career path.

“Kimbo Slice is a tremendous puncher,” Shaw said. “We believe that he has unlimited potential in boxing. He’ll learn each fight and become even more of a threat in the boxing ring than he ever was in mixed martial arts.”

But it’s hard to see Kimbo becoming more than a sideshow at heavyweight, especially given his questionable technique. This is a man known mostly for grainy backyard brawls and anyone that knows boxing realizes there’s a huge different between unregulated street fights and the Sweet Science. Still, you have to give his handlers credit for trying.

“The heavyweight division is searching for a star that can punch like Mike Tyson and fill arenas,” said his other co-promoter Tony Holden. “Kimbo is developing quickly as a heavyweight boxer and, when he gets some experience, look out!”

Indeed. We’re going to maintain that Brandywine, Maryland native Seth Mitchell is the U.S.’s best hope at capturing the heavyweight championship again, but even he will likely have to wait until after the Klitschkos have their moment in the sun. There’s simply no one on the planet in the same category as Wladimir and Vitali at present.