Former EliteXC headliner and UFC veteran Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson will make his pro-boxing debut on Aug. 13, officials today announced.
He'll headline a four-round main event at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.
Neither an opponent nor broadcast details have not been announced for the show, which Gary Shaw Productions and Tony Holden Promotions is producing.
"Even in his losses, 'Kimbo' brought a level of excitement that few fighters can generate," Shaw stated. "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."
Shaw actually introduced Ferguson to the MMA world in 2007 as the head of the since-folded EliteXC organization. A former underground sensation who rose to fame thanks to his bareknuckle-fighting videos on YouTube, Ferguson won his first three MMA bouts, including the first-ever U.S.-network televised MMA headliner (against James Thompson at "EliteXC: Primetime"). Despite an eventual loss to Seth Petruzelli in the final major EliteXC show, UFC president Dana White took a gamble on "Kimbo" in 2009.
Ferguson was the featured fighter on a heavyweights-only 10th season of "The Ultimate Fighter," which shattered the reality series' ratings record. After an opening-round loss to eventual show champ Roy Nelson, Ferguson won his first official UFC fight with a lackluster decision victory over Houston Alexander at the show's live finale.
Surprisingly, though, he was dropped from the roster following a subsequent loss to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113.
Since his UFC release, Ferguson's representatives have hinted at possible pro-wrestling and boxing appearances, though they never materialized.
The Aug. 13 boxing match is his first competitive-sports endeavor since his 2010 UFC release.
Source: UFC vet Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson makes pro-boxing debut on Aug. 13
