Introduction
In this article, we will explore the fascinating life and career of Kimbo Slice, a renowned American boxer and mixed martial artist. We will delve into his net worth at the time of his passing and shed light on his impressive journey in the world of combat sports.
Kimbo Slice’s Net Worth: $500 Thousand
At the time of his death, Kimbo Slice had a net worth of $500 thousand. Born as Kevin Ferguson on February 8, 1974, in Nassau, Bahamas, Slice gained fame for his street fights, which garnered significant attention on the internet. Rolling Stone even bestowed upon him the title of “The King of the Web Brawlers.”
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Kimbo Slice moved to the United States as a child and grew up in Cutler Ridge, Florida. He attended Miami Palmetto High School, where he excelled as a star football player in the position of middle linebacker. Later, he pursued higher education on an athletic scholarship, studying criminal justice at Bethune-Cookman University and the University of Miami.
Slice’s career in combat sports took an unexpected turn when his childhood friend and eventual manager, Mike Imber, offered him a job as a limousine driver and bodyguard for RK Netmedia, also known as Reality Kings, an adult-movie production and promotion company based in Miami.
Rise to Fame and Street Fighting
In 2003, Kimbo Slice ventured into street fighting, participating in mutual combat encounters that were captured on tape. These videos gained popularity and were widely distributed online, primarily through platforms like the adult website Sublime Directory.
In his first recorded fight against an opponent named Big D, Slice left a deep cut on his adversary’s right eye, leading internet fans to christen him “Slice.” He adopted the name and combined it with his childhood nickname “Kimbo,” thus establishing his persona as Kimbo Slice.
Although Kimbo Slice experienced a loss in an on-tape street fight against Sean Gannon, a former Boston police officer trained in mixed martial arts (MMA), the fight propelled both men into the MMA spotlight.
Professional MMA Debut and Beyond
Kimbo Slice made his sanctioned MMA debut on June 23, 2007, against former WBO Heavyweight champion boxer Ray Mercer at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 5 in Atlantic City. He secured victory by submitting Mercer with a guillotine choke in the first round.
Following this success, Slice signed a deal with Proelite.com on October 11, 2007. He continued his winning streak, defeating Bo Cantrell only 19 seconds into the first round by submission due to punches. Throughout his career, Slice was guided by his close friend and manager, Mike Imber.
In May 2008, Kimbo Slice headlined the first-ever primetime MMA event on network television, EliteXC: Primetime. However, EliteXC faced financial troubles and filed for bankruptcy later that year.
UFC and Boxing Ventures
After EliteXC ceased operations, Kimbo Slice received an offer from Dana White, the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to compete on the reality TV show “The Ultimate Fighter” in order to earn a spot to compete in the UFC. On December 5, 2009, Slice fought and defeated Houston Alexander.
Slice’s official pay-per-view and heavyweight debut in the UFC occurred on May 8, 2010. Unfortunately, he suffered a defeat against Matt Mitrione, leading to his release from the UFC by Dana White.
In August 2010, Kimbo Slice announced his intention to pursue a professional boxing career. His boxing debut took place on August 13, 2011 in Miami, Oklahoma, where he won his first fight against James Wade via knockout (KO) in just ten seconds of the first round. Despite initially planning to make his professional wrestling debut in Japan against sumo wrestler Shinichi Suzukawa in February 2011, Slice withdrew from the match due to an injury.
Returning to the boxing ring a few months later, Kimbo Slice defeated Tay Bledsoe in the first round. He continued his boxing career by securing a victory against Shane Tilyard in Australia in January 2013, ending the match in the second round.
Bellator MMA and Legacy
After a five-year hiatus from MMA, Kimbo Slice signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA in January 2015. He made a triumphant debut by defeating Ken Shamrock via TKO at Bellator 138 on June 19, 2015. In his next match at Bellator 149 on February 19, 2016, Slice faced Dada 5000 and emerged victorious via TKO in the third round when Dada collapsed from exhaustion.
However, following the fight, it was discovered that traces of steroids were present in Slice’s pre-fight drug test. As a result, he received a fine of $2,500 from the Texas Athletic Commission, and his fighting license was revoked. The status of the match against Dada 5000 was changed to a No Contest.
Despite the setback, Kimbo Slice’s legacy as a prominent figure in combat sports remained intact. Bellator President Scott Coker announced that Slice would have a rematch against James Thompson at London’s O2 Arena on July 15, 2016. Tragically, Slice passed away before the scheduled fight could take place.
Personal Life and Legacy
Kimbo Slice was married to L. Shontae Ferguson in May 1994, and they had three children together: RaeChelle, Kevin II, and Kevinah. He also had several grandchildren. At the time of his death on June 6, 2016, in Coral Springs, Florida, Kimbo Slice was engaged to his long-time partner, Antionette Ray. The cause of his death was heart failure. His autopsy revealed the presence of a liver mass as well.
Kimbo Slice’s unique journey from street fights to professional combat sports left an indelible mark on the world of MMA and boxing. Despite facing challenges and controversies, he achieved significant fame and success, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.
In conclusion, Kimbo Slice, with a net worth of $500 thousand, showcased his fighting prowess and captivated audiences with his larger-than-life persona. His contributions to combat sports will be remembered, and his legacy as an iconic figure in the realm of street fighting and MMA will endure.
