LOS ANGELES, CA, MARCH 23 - Yes its true. Former Heavyweight Champion Ray Mercer (34-6-1, 25KOs) will face street fighter Kimbo Slice in a mixed martial arts (MMA) cage match on June 23rd at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. Mercer, age 45, won a gold medal at the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul Korea. He has fought living legends, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Wladamir Klithscho and most recently current Heavyweight Champion Shannon Briggs.
Slice, an unknown in the professional fight world has generated his own fan base via the internet. His fight clips on sites like YouTube, Break.com and MySpace show Slice sometimes facing two opponents in a row.
Slice has had a handful of street fights on video with noticiably scared and intimidated opponents. The video series show Slice's bare knuckle, knockout style. While Kimbo has knocked out most his opponents, he does have one defeat at the hands of Sean Gannon, a Boston native and experienced MMA fighter.
Felix Martinez, co-Founder of Cage Fury Fighting Championships told touchgloves.com "the fight will take place in a cage and the New Jersey Athletic Control Board Rules for MMA will apply." Such rules include kicking, elbows and submission moves not typical of any boxer's skills. It is not clear whether Slice has any MMA experience. The fight will feature three five-minute rounds.
When asked about how this fight was conceived, Martinez said that "Ray Mercer approached me at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 3 and told me he wanted to get into the cage. I spoke to our matchmaker Gary Marino who felt that Kimbo Slice and Ray Mercer were a perfect match to put on a great fight."
Martinez is currently in negotiations to have the event shown on Pay-Per-View and hopes to feature seven total bouts on the card with Mercer-Slice being the Main Event. Both Mercer and Slice will each receive $50,000. The winner will earn another $25,000 and a $10,000 bonus for a knockout. With a potential payday of $85,000 for the winner by knockout, this should be an exciting match.
Comments (123)
should be a good fight
Posted by How to Pick Up Chicks | March 26, 2007 6:50 PM
I give Kimbo 30 seconds against a real fighter.
Posted by MMA-Extreme | March 29, 2007 10:14 PM
FUCK yeah, do it kimbo
Posted by Nemo | March 30, 2007 7:36 AM
why doesnt anyone get the idea to put kimbo vs. butterbean? never the less mercer vs. kkimbo should be a good fight.
Posted by haggard | March 31, 2007 8:30 AM
yea i agree Kimbo is going down 1st round. he doesn't stand a chance against a real fighter like Ray Mercer.He doesn't have the chin to stand toe to toe against Gannon let alone Ray Mercer.
Posted by Travis | March 31, 2007 5:58 PM
FUCK KIMBO.ONLY THING THAT WILL FIX HIM IS A ROPE.
Posted by JamesBlues | March 31, 2007 9:21 PM
lol gannon is a shit can of a mma fighter. stupid media. put kimbo against some proper in form heavyweights like fedor or cro cop, not some 45 yr old dad who retired from boxing. sheesh
Posted by Anonymous | April 1, 2007 1:16 AM
kimbo hands down i think hes the real deal he'll take on anyone anyday whether he wins or loses hes still a great fighter
Posted by derrick | April 1, 2007 6:12 PM
nock his old ass out--REP---FLA.
Posted by champ | April 1, 2007 9:47 PM
Kimbo is fun to watch, and will last a bit if Mercer comes in fat and out of shape. I say Mercer destroys him, even if all he ever does is jab. I give it to mercer in the second round, KO by JAB!
Posted by Nah Tachance | April 2, 2007 11:29 AM
Alguien me podria decir cuando es la pelea de Kimbo con ray mercer? y si ya ha sido,¿donde la puedo ver?
Posted by J.Carlos | April 4, 2007 12:37 AM
You have to be kidding. The ONLY person Kimbo fought who had ANY training in boxing was Gannon, and he got owned and GAVE UP, after he discovered that Sean wasn't afraid of him.
Also tired of hearing "If it goes to the Ground, Kimbo has a chance" Do these people think you can do whatever you want in a fight? Mercer knows that, and he's going to bomb the crap out of Kimbo at long range.
Kimbo's Vaunted "Chin": he's been hit by fat guys who throw "arm" punches. except Gannon, who has some technique. And Gannon hurt him twice in the first minute. If Mercer hits him that easily (probable), it won't last long.
Kimbo is good for about 3 minutes of action, then he wilts.he's never won when it went more than 3 minutes.
He won't have his "posse" with him. They let Slice do whatever the f--k he wants, but jump all over the other guy for every little thing. Maybe Kimbo will deliberately get D-Qed if it's not going well.
Posted by JIm | April 4, 2007 5:47 AM
kimbo is a nice fighter to watch but anyone with a real love and eye for MMA knows that this guy is just a guy who thinks he's bad cause he knocked a few guys out. let him come train day in and out, with the only thing you have is the drive to beat yourself and your own limitations.
Posted by baxley | April 4, 2007 8:51 AM
Well I have to agree that Mercer has the upper advantage but I wouldn't discount Kimbo. Kimbo is one tough SOB. He is used to fighting with bare knuckles. In MMA they have padded gloves which still do lots of damage but less than what Kimbo is used to. Kimbo has crazy stamina, I think. In the fight against that bear guy he kept going and going. He is tough. He also can punch hard. I'd like to see a rematch of those two without Kimbo getting kneed in the head. I'm rooting for the underdog...Go KIMBO!
Posted by ManOman | April 5, 2007 7:59 PM
kimbos gonna run that shit, ALL DAY
Posted by redbone | April 6, 2007 12:08 PM
I know for a fact Kimbo will be going to be eating canvas by the 2nd round.Kimbo may hit hard, Mercer will eat those. It's all over but the cryin. Fuck that wanna be pro up Ray!Butter Bean would also fuck up kimbo. Kimbo is some body elses pit bull Bitch! Sean proved that.
Posted by Brendan C | April 7, 2007 12:16 PM
gannon wooped his a** and b 4 he even threw that knee kimbo head butted gannon if u watched closely gannon stomed him all the other guys was scared of kimbo that was fat skinny and out of shape i give him dap he can knock someone out but can he go longer then 3 mins yea he kept getting up during the gannon fight but that didnt help him none he got wooped badly he is a street fighter he cant handle a real fighter like ray mercer so there for ray is gonna kick his a** its all there is too it kimbo will get wooped with rules apllied he is just a street fighter with his posse that lets him do what he wants end of story
Posted by craig H | April 7, 2007 1:56 PM
KIMBO GONNA GET HIS ASS BEAT. SORRY FOR ALL YOU KIMBO FANS..ITS TIME HE FACE A REAL FIGHTER WIT SKILLS. AND LETS SEE HOW YO BOY KIMBO DO. I THINK HES GONNA FAIL, AND IMMA LAUGH.
Posted by Anonymous | April 7, 2007 2:31 PM
Dam' . . . I'm not gonna' lie I enjoy watchin' Kimbo's vids but dam' why he gotta' go against one of my fav. boxers . I'm torn . . . Ha'
Posted by J. Miss | April 7, 2007 2:59 PM
It will be extremely funny to see Kimbo getting his teeth knock out. Merciless Ray Mercer will bet him down worse than what he did to HIV Boy Tommy The Duke Morrison. I honestly think that almost any pro boxer, light heavy weight and up would easily dismantle this big Chimp. But... you have to give Kimbo 3 bananas for even trying. Booga Booga Kimbo
Posted by jmarkc4 | April 8, 2007 10:38 AM
I think that comment about kimbo being a chimp and giving him three bananas is priceless. funniest thing i've ever heard. I agree with both sides on this page. Kimbo is a mean ass athletic huge excuse for a human being that can put it on someone. He has not faced worthy apponents and therefore should be interesting to see what happeds. I don't know much about Mercer, nor do i know a lot about the whole fighting world but i'd give it to Mercer. You take someone that size with skill and just like gannon proved he too can throw jabs that my grand mother wouldn't feel after about 3 minutes with a worthy apponent. If thats the case my prediction will be correct. Can't wait to see the feed.
KIMBO THE GORILLA SLICE IS GETTING HIS ASS HANDED TO HIM
PERHAPS HE'LL RETIRE AND SHAVE HIS BACK HAIR GROSSSSSS
Posted by Adam | April 8, 2007 6:58 PM
all say i give kimbo that against a real fighter...hmm hehe mercer isnt a real fighter :P
Posted by Anonymous | April 9, 2007 5:04 AM
kimbos got balls good luck in your up coming MMA fight i hope your learning the ground skills needed to compete at MMA level i think Kimbo will knock out Mercer
Posted by kopit | April 9, 2007 9:06 AM
see that shows why the everyday dude at the bar that has opinion is uninformed to put the best face on it now i believe in the freedom to give your opinion after all opinions are like assholes everyones got one but what i'm about to say is not opinion its fact (and this is coming from 15 years in the boxing bizz both as trainer and active boxer) those of you who are picking kimbo have no fucking clue of what you talking about and if it was up to me i'd put you in front of a firing squid and let you guys get shot until your way passed died yeah maybe kimbo can beat kenny makeit willy getup and joe glass but a real fighter are you guys really that fuck'n stupid merciless ray mercer will beat that retard(kimbo) like the faggetass retard that he is think about it do you even know why they call him merciless he'll knockout kimbo faster then you can read this sentence watch some of mercer's fight's and just thank god that your dumbass doesn't have to find out the real easy way why they call him "merciless" ..........oh yeah fuckman you guys are just so fuck'n stupid
Posted by kyle kenoh | April 9, 2007 1:56 PM
Kimbo, knockout Ray Mercer,get your money, go to the streets that night, Knockout out two more guys, and call it a nite.Kimbo keep working them bitches and making em sleep.
Posted by jojo | April 10, 2007 11:27 AM
While setting Kimbo up with Mercer a 45 yo boxer why dont they set him up with Ali hes still alive and old 2 more pluses for Kimbo. Kimbos good but he might need a better match up. He wont make it too far with an opponet whom will triangl choke his ass
Posted by pullmyfinger | April 10, 2007 11:34 AM
sowi ray ur ass is gna gt kik.d from kimbo...............
Posted by Anonymous | April 10, 2007 2:02 PM
Kimbo it's not a real fighter,he is only big men without technique like Bob Sapp but why Ray Mercer??
Posted by hulk | April 11, 2007 1:34 PM
Oh my... I love all the "Go kimbo, rep that Fla!!!". ;(...Somebody tell these ignorant "fight fans" where Ray Mercer was born and the quality of his oponents. While kimbo was out fighting bums, Mercer was out fighting the likes of Lennox Lewis (lost..but by decision) Larry Holmes, Wladimir Klitschko, and Evander Holyfield (Both loses, but great fighters). Kimbo's game appears to be "boxing" and if Kimbo is a true fan of boxing, he knows what he's up against..which brings me to my point. Kimbo MOST LIKELY knows that he is not going to outbox Mercer, so he's most likely going to have to take it to the ground. I'm honestly suprised that someone of Ray Mercer's caliber would even agree to fight this guy (Though he's VERY OLD..but so is Evander Holyfield and I think Holyfield can take Kimbo...;D). Anywho, if I remember correctly I think Ray Mercer has had a couple K-1 fights.....but I'll admit I never saw them (just heard) so I'll go out on a limb here and assume that Ray Mercer probably knows more regarding the "mma" aspect. I won't take anything away from Kimbo because he does have a chance (especially at those weights, any fighter has a HUGE chance)...but it doesn't look good.
Posted by Somemofo | April 11, 2007 8:20 PM
I watched several fights, and Kimbo is SSSSLLLLLOOOOOWWW. He's slow as hell and Mercer should eat him alive. one or two pro knocks to the head will put Kimbo on his back.
The man is big, but has no speed at all.
Posted by jim toner | April 12, 2007 11:59 AM
All of you guys that think kimbo is going to do some damage are a joke. Hes going to hand kimbo a slice of his ass. haha If he were to ever step in the ring with a fedor / cro cop there wouldnt be a slice of him to be found. except it all ready
Posted by Anonymous | April 12, 2007 12:13 PM
The man is 45. I don't give a fuck what you were in 1988, is Michael Jordan going to comeback and dominate basketball again? Kimbo is huge and purely adrenaline, anyone in boxing knows that when it comes down to it, technique and skills do nothing against raw emotion, brute strength and youth.
Check out the young Mike Tyson and tell me he didn't fight exactly like Kimbo. Imagine Tyson against a 45 year old washup.
Posted by Anonymous | April 12, 2007 3:18 PM
I think Kimbo is one of the best fighters there is whether its in a cage or on the street. Even if hes bound to lose this fight he doesn't care hes getting some money and a bunch more exposure. So both ways it's gonna help him out personally I don't think hes as outmatched as everyone thinks hes got a hard punch and hard chin and as long as it stays standing I think his chances are just as good as Mercers. GO KIMBO!!
Posted by Anonymous | April 13, 2007 12:17 PM
All these boxing "pro" opinions are a waste of space, especially 15 year boxer trainer guy. This isn't boxing it is MMA. This fight will go to the ground and when that happens Kimbo is going to POUND Mercer. End of story. Everyone keeps talking about Mercer being a boxer. Well don't forget that Mike Tyson use to be a boxer that was feared by everyone and now he can't even beat the lowliest pros out there. Mercer is 46...he'll be lucky to make it to 47. Of course any MMA fighter out there who is average and above would destroy Kimbo, especially the likes of Fedor(it would be over in less than 2 minutes with Kimbo a broken heap). Mercer is not an MMA fighter and he is an old man.
Posted by whitey | April 14, 2007 7:29 AM
Mercer isnt just an Olympic gold medallist and a world champion, he learnt to box in the army where he will have met plenty "kimbos" and kicked their asses. He also wrestled in that time, and says he has been in plenty street fights where anything goes. He knows what its like to take kicks from his k-1 days and Kimbo is no Musashi or Bonjasky. He is intent on achieving another boxing title shot after this as well as continuing in mma and says he is in better shape than he has been in for 8 years.
Posted by Andrew | April 14, 2007 9:47 AM
This is a shrewd move by the promoters. Kimbo is going to stomp Grandpa Mercer and the promoters know it. This is only to boost Kimbo's profile within MMA so as to get the buzz going. His next fight will be with the real fighters. That's when I'll watch. This fight? It's going to be a massacre. Throwing a dead lamb to a wolf. Kimbo wins in just over 10 seconds. It's after this slaughter when it will get interesting for Kimbo...
Posted by Fightfan666 | April 15, 2007 6:40 PM
I remember the first time I saw a Kimbo fight on the net, it was against Big D. I thought "if I ever see that guy in a dark alley, I wont even run, I'll just lay down and play dead". But now, after reading some of his interviews, and watching the rest of his fights, I am actually a fan. The guy seems really cool. Granted, Mercer does, I believe, have the upper hand just based on experience. I mean, for Mercer, doing this when he does that and doing that when he does this is just second nature after all the training and fights he's had. But in reality, what does Mercer have to gain/lose from this fight? Nothing. He'll show up, take his licks, probably NOT get knocked out, take the 50g's and go home. He's a pro. Kimbo on the other hand has alot to gain, and everything to lose. If he wins, he'll probably get offers from UFC/PRIDE or some sort of MMA group and america will be entertained for a few years to come. I mean, imagine someone like that, with his intensity and strength, trained by one of the top camps, like team punishment!! Holy cow!! 1 year from now, we could be watching the most dominant MMA fighter ever. How cool would it be to see Kimbo against Brock Lesnar in 2008?
Posted by beendad | April 16, 2007 11:15 AM
Kimbo has been training MMA, he won't be a fish out of water if it goes to the ground.
Posted by BMT | April 16, 2007 9:08 PM
this will be very interesting . ray is a very experienced fighter and we can see he has kept his profile in good shape.
However, from kimbos fight we can see just how brutal his punches can be with several KO's with alot of bloody injuries.
pricks do not chat shit over the internet. you are just fakes!! just be real and enjoy the fight!!!
people saying these MMA and street fighters are crap but they do have the guts to accept a fight when asked for!!!
Posted by stevo | April 17, 2007 2:31 PM
hell yeah kimbo has the chin to handle mercer he lets guys take full blows at his face than knock them out one punch later....kimbo is going to ownnnnnn...i want to see this fight sooo bad
Posted by Tom | April 17, 2007 6:05 PM
Nah Kimbo lost to fuckin gannon I doubt he could go toe to toe with a real fighter even though hes 45. but i do agree with the guy that said put kimbo up against cro cop because cro cop would beat his ass
Posted by Anonymous | April 17, 2007 8:20 PM
Haha..Kimbo will get smashed..even though Kimbo has some great wins(I've seen most of them)..i don't think he's got what it takes to take on a Champion contender. like Mercer...But yeah...I hope Kimbo wins...he's got some time to work on some MMA skills...not enough time..but still he has time...Hope to see Kimbo knock some one out....
..See ya..
Posted by ndnman | April 18, 2007 8:34 AM
kimbo rules
Posted by Anonymous | April 20, 2007 5:47 AM
Mercer will own Kimbo. This fight aint going to the ground. Mercer has the science behind him. Mercer has a ton more experience behind him. I dont care that Mercer is 46. Mercer is a very experienced pro boxer. One punch from Mercer is equal to two from Kimbo. Mercer has the technique speed and chin.
Mercer wins by KO in round two, guaranteed
Posted by Shitpickle | April 20, 2007 1:26 PM
Time to go down kimbo ray will put you to sleep.
Posted by jon3sh | April 22, 2007 3:06 AM
Yah Mercer has skill as a real boxer but Kimbo's got that intensity that can bring even the biggest baddest fighters to their knees. Kimbo just got tired when he fought Gannon. If you noticed Gannon never knocked Kimbo out. At the end of the fight he lost by exhaustion. Mercer's old ass wont last the first round.
Posted by Eric Chavez | April 23, 2007 6:57 AM
LOL, mr. anonymous said - as long as it stays standing Kimbo has a chance.. LLLLLLLLLLLLOL. That's his worst nightmare. The only thing going for Kimbo is that it MAY go to the ground. I feel pretty confident Mercer is going to destroy him pretty fast.
Posted by rockstar | April 23, 2007 8:19 PM
Yeahh pretty much kimbo is fucked hes going to get his ass beat :D all over the place i say first or second round knock out. kimbos nothing he fights guys with no training or skill and wins... now hes going agenst a man with skill.... who ever thinks kimbos going to win needs to think about the facts... come on ladys whats that bitch going to do agenst a real mma fighter?
Posted by Nick | April 24, 2007 8:42 AM
kimbo fixin to whoop that ass
Posted by michael | April 25, 2007 8:53 AM
Has anyone seen Mercer fight in K-1? Hell, he took a kick and just quit the match! He is only doing this for the money, which is fine, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that,but the idea that Mercer at 46 is still the same or near the same fighter as he was 10 years ago is ridiculous. Kimbo would get smacked around by pretty much any MMA fighter worth his nuts, but Mercer is NOT an MMA fighter and he's closing on 50. Either fighter has the "potential" to knock the other out just from their sheer size and strength, but Mercer winning this is a long-shot. I'd give it to Mercer everyday of the week in a boxing match, even at his age, but again, this isn't boxing.
Posted by whitey | April 25, 2007 11:35 AM
KIMBO IS GOING TO DESTROY MERCER!!!!!!!! WATCH THIS SHIT!!!!!! HE IS GOING TO SURPRISE YOU ALL!!!!! ITS FUNNY WHAT A HUNGRY EX CON FROM DADE COUNTY CAN ACCOMPLISH --- NEXT FOR KIMBO ---- UFC --- KEEP WORKING ON THAT STAMINA BUDDY!!!!!!
BRADSHAW
DA GOV... 1 LUV
Posted by BRADSHAWf | April 25, 2007 7:47 PM
I remember watching 'Merciless' Ray Mercer as a kid. He was one of the toughest boxers in the history of the ring, and I truly admired and respected that. The man has power-even at 45 or 46 years old. He is just as dangerous now as he was then. Now, I've have also seen Kimbo Slice throw hands as well, and I must say he is just as dangerous as well. Now, I'm not saying Kimbo will dominate, nor am I saying that Mr. Mercer will dominate either. In June, all that I can say is this: We shall see who the true warrior is. Now, if Ray Mercer goes in thinking that just because he has had over 40 professional fights and gets the over-sized head, not showing Kimbo some kind of respect, then Kimbo will put him to sleep. Now if Kimbo goes in thinking that just because he has knocked out other fighters and gets the over-sized head, then Mr. Mercer will put him to sleep. Now, I will close saying this: I respect both fighters as warriors. May the best warrior shine on to victory.
Posted by Charles J. Crump, Jr. | April 26, 2007 9:20 PM
kimbo goes down with gannon. The big white asshole. Mercere wins easy
Posted by riccardo | April 27, 2007 5:26 AM
Kimbo is insane, i know that he is going to go against a pro but if he were to Gannon again he would beat him. If they both new the rules of the fight that they were about to have then Kombo would whip some serious A**. Im sorry i just dont think that Mercer still has it in him. but this will still be a good fight because they both are experienced but if Kimbo had a chance like Mercer did i think he would be a pro too.
Posted by shawn | April 27, 2007 8:08 PM
KImbo will > Mercer *crosses his fingers* Hopefully this dude makes it big on the MMA world.
Posted by RepisaGOD | April 28, 2007 8:55 PM
Ray Mercer is to old Kimbo by Knock out
Posted by Milez | April 29, 2007 4:37 PM
FIRST OF ALL WE HAVEN'T SEEN EITHER GUYS GRAPPLE/GROUND GAME AN YES I THINK THEY WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE GROUND IF NOT ONCE MAYBE TWICE. MERCER IN THE SECOND, KIMBO WILL GAS OUT.
Posted by STUNNA | April 30, 2007 5:43 AM
Just to let everyone know, Kimbo is taking this fight seriously. He is training at FFA in Miami. My buddy trains and spars with him all the time and tells me his boxing and ground game has greatly improved. My buddy says he is a strong SOB. Don't count Kimbo out until the fight is over. I am in for Kimbo.
Posted by daMAN | April 30, 2007 6:45 AM
deman
"Just to let everyone know, Kimbo is taking this fight seriously. He is training at FFA in Miami. My buddy trains and spars with him all the time and tells me his boxing and ground game has greatly improved. My buddy says he is a strong SOB. Don't count Kimbo out until the fight is over. I am in for Kimbo."
- Thats all lies you fake, kimbos gonna get worked, all of his opponents weren't really a fair match. Its no skin off Mercers ass, he's going to clown him to say the least. Gannon spanked him in that one fight, i saw enough
Posted by John Gotti | April 30, 2007 9:14 AM
kimbo will kick that a--, and i will be their to see it Go Kimbo
Posted by Anonymous | May 2, 2007 8:12 AM
Keep it in prospective! Kimbo is a great fighter against the average person. Like me or you, but can't be expected to get lucky and win against a true athlete, Sorry Kimbo..I'm you're #1 fan when it comes to backyard brawls, but you're out of your league here.
With that being said, I hope Kimbo pulls off the biggest miracle of all time and somehow SOMEHOW wins....I just wanna see what happens to him one he gets some money and isn't even street tough anymore...what will he have going for him then? lmao
Posted by Rob | May 3, 2007 7:01 AM
that niggas gunna get killd
Posted by jspit and cwat | May 3, 2007 8:25 AM
kimbo is animal stupid, no sabe pelear, solo reacciona como animal, me gustaria verlo en las mma, le darian en su madre rapido, en mexico hay muchos mejores que kimbo, muchos machos mexican, very fhights...............
Posted by JERRY GAMEZ | May 3, 2007 10:24 AM
do any of you have a clue ? for KIMBO's size..he cant crack an egg...the ave 160 lb boxewr would shatter his jaw..hes a clown..a joke...and nothing more then a dirty jigg....1 thing i can say is i like his sportsman ship..
Posted by rocky | May 3, 2007 10:45 AM
KIMBO IS A JOKE , A SANFORD & SON BUM...FOR HIS SIZE AND WEIGHT...HE CAN NOT CRACK AN EGG.. MERCER HITS 100X HARDER...AS SOON AS HE HITS HIM..KIMBO IS OUT COLD..THAT FAT GOOF CANNON BEAT KIMBOS ASS AND HE COULDNT CRACK AN EGG...KIMBO SHOULD GET $10 FOR THIS FIGHT TO BUY MORE CRACK...
Posted by benny |