Ray Mercer Vows To KO Kimbo Slice on 6/16

By Mark Vester

According to a recent report in the Atlantic City Press, 1988 Olympic Gold Medal winner, former WBO heavyweight champion Ray Mercer is once again entering the world of mixed martial arts, against popular "internet street fighter" Kimbo Slice. A June bout with Hasim Rahman apparently fell through.

Vineland's Felix Martinez, a co-founder of Cage Fury Fighting Championships, announced on Wednesday that Mercer has already signed to face Kimbo Slice at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on June 16. The fight will be part of Cage Fury Fighting Championship 5, with the venue being set for 12,000 seats. Martinez told the AC Press that both fighters will earn $50,000, but the winner will receive an additional $25,000. To ensure a crowd pleasing fight, Martinez will pay $10,000 extra if the winner scores a knockout.

The fight will consist of three five-minute rounds and follow the rules set by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board.

Slice, a self-appointed "undergound streetfight champion," grew to legendary status on the internet with videos of his backyard street fights popping up on thousands of websites around the world. Many of his fights can be found on youtube.com.

Mercer has watched some of Slice's streetfight videos and was less than impressed.

“I know he's supposed to be some sort of great street fighter,” Mercer said. “Well, we've all had street fights. I had enough of them in my life that I know what to do in there. I can see that he's strong and all that, but I don't think he's ever fought a boxer, let alone a former Olympic and world champion. One punch with four-ounce gloves is all I'll need to take him out.”

(Source)