Kimbo Slice, whose real name was Kevin Ferguson, was a Bahamian-born American boxer, mixed martial artist (MMA), and actor. He became a household name due to his bare-knuckle fighting style. People also loved his street fight videos which went viral on the internet.
Kimbo was known for his raw strength, intimidating presence, and street fighting skills. As he became popular, people started to search for him online. This helped him become famous and transition into professional sports. If you are intrigued to find out more about this professional boxer, we suggest you give this post a read.
Early Life
Kimbo Slice was born on 8th February 1974, in Nassau, Bahamas. He moved to the United States at a young age and grew up in the neighbourhoods of Miami, Florida. Raised by his mother Rosemary Clarke, he had a difficult childhood but was always interested in physical activities and sports. He grew up with his sister Renea and brother Devon.
Kimbo Slice attended Cutler Ridge Middle School and was later transferred to Richmond Heights Middle School. At Miami Palmeto High School, he played football in a middle linebacker position. To pursue a higher education, he joined Bethune-Cookman University and the University of Miami, where he studied criminal justice.
Career
Kimbo Slice first gained public attention through his street fights, which went viral online. His brutal, bare-knuckle fights took place in backyards and parking lots, where Kimbo fought with sheer power and aggression. His fights became a viral sensation, making him an underground star in the early 2000s.
In 2007, Kimbo Slice transitioned from street fighting to professional mixed martial arts (MMA). He signed with EliteXC and debuted in November 2007 against Bo Cantrell. His victory in the fight solidified his position in the industry.
He later competed in the UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show in 2009. Though he did not win the competition, he managed to draw a lot of attention to MMA and helped the sport grow in popularity. After his time in MMA, Kimbo Slice shifted his focus to professional boxing. He made his boxing debut in August 2011 and won the first fight by knockout. Throughout his boxing career, he won 7 out of 8 matches.
Aside from fighting, Kimbo Slice also tried acting. He appeared in a few films and television shows, like Blood and Bone (2009) and Locked Down (2010).
Personal Life
Kimbo Slice was married to L. Shontae and had six children, including his son Kevin Ferguson Jr., who followed in his footsteps by becoming an MMA fighter.
In 2016, he was rushed to a hospital, where he died of congestive heart failure. He passed away at the age of 42. This shook the entire MMA industry and they poured their condolences.
Net Worth
At the time of his death in 2016, Kimbo Slice had an estimated net worth of $500,000. Majority of his wealth accumulated through his fighting career and acting gigs. While his street fighting fame did not bring in huge earnings, his MMA and boxing contracts helped him earn a decent living.
