LEGENDARY BACKYARD BRAWLER KIMBO SLICE TO MAKE BOXING PRO DEBUT AUGUST 13

Forget the kicking and wrestling, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson will soon be where he should have been all along... busting heads in a boxing ring.

On Saturday, August 13, legendary street brawler Kimbo Slice will make his long-awaited professional boxing debut in the four-round main event of a Gary Shaw Productions and Tony Holden Promotions boxing extravaganza at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.

Slice became the Internet's first street-certified action hero by smashing down a series of opponents in brutal backyard fist fights. The announcement is good news for fight fans, as he will surely administer a much-needed shot of adrenaline into the American heavyweight scene.

"Kimbo was always meant to be in the ring," said Jared Shaw, Team Kimbo Promotional Advisor. "He's one of the hardest punchers in the world and on August 13, his journey to becoming America's heavyweight begins. The first stop will be Oklahoma in what will become the Kimbo Slice Express."

Longtime friend and manager, Mike Imber, said that Slice has been training for his debut with his longtime boxing coach Randy Khatami and also spent some time in top-rated contender Alfredo Angulo's camp, working with trainer Clemente Medina.

"He's completely focused on his boxing career and excited to showcase his talents inside the squared circle," continued Shaw. "Kimbo Slice is hungry and when that man wants his bread, he's scary."

Slice rose to worldwide prominence via the Internet and viral videos of a series of unlicensed street fights, each of which garnered millions of views. As a mixed martial artist, he competed for the EliteXC and UFC organizations and appeared on CBS, PPV and Showtime Network, going 4-2 against some of the world's best competition. Slice drew record numbers of viewers to Spike, the Ultimate Fighter and in each of his network and cable bouts.

"Even in his losses, Kimbo brought a level of excitement that few fighters can generate," said his promoter, Gary Shaw. "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."

"Kimbo's been waiting for this and now it's time," added Imber.

Opponents and other matches on the card will be announced shortly. Tickets for the professional boxing debut of Kimbo Slice are priced at $38, $48 and $68 and will be available July 5 through www.buffalorun.com.