"Kimbo is feeling and looking great. He is healthy and focused, and most important, hungry for his bread. The man has a chip on his shoulder and the world hasn't seen a mean streak like this since Mike Tyson. He is back training with his longtime MMA/boxing coach, Randy Katami. He's also worked with Clemente Medina, who's given Kimbo some excellent Mexican boxing tutelage...the world has questions, as does the sport, so starting August 13th, the Kimbo Slice Express will make it's first stop. He will let people on board and show them this isn't a runaway freight train like David Haye...or any heavyweight these days. He doesn't want to follow suit of the boring heavyweight division and be just another American heavyweight. We plan on injecting life into a dying weight class. Do we want belts? Of course that's our goal, but Kimbo wants respect much more than gold and that is why he will be such a dangerous fight for anyone out there," stated Jared Shaw, Team Kimbo Promotional Advisor, as he talked about the upcoming professional boxing debut of legendary street brawler turned mixed martial artist Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson. You don't want to miss what else he had to say. Check it out!
PC: How have you been Jared?
JS: Great Percy; just gearing up for a great end of summer run. I have been very busy with my music and I will be releasing my official mixtape and first single music video some time in the next few weeks. On top of that, I have finally brought Kimbo Slice to the boxing platform and he will be throwing down on August 13th at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma. He will take on James Wade at heavyweight in his boxing debut.
PC: Damn, it sounds like you are very busy these days. Before we talk about Kimbo's boxing debut, you have always wanted to do the music thing. How is it coming along? What style can people expect and who are you working with?
JS: Thankfully, yes, very busy. Music has always been my passion and I am grateful for this opportunity. It's not every day that you can follow your own dreams and help others reach theirs as well, and I am doing that with the boxers I manage and advise. My music is called "Flowetry" or "Hip Pop". That's two phrases I use based on my style. Yes, I rap and yes, I'm from the suburbs, but I'm not here to talk about the bling, the cars, and the fancy lifestyle. I'm talking to women. I'm talking to them about love and romance and it just so happens men feel these things too. I know a lot of men who identify with that. And for the overly bravado men out there, I just let them look at my resume; boxing born and bred. I love the fight game and I love my women, so if you can't feel secure with that, then you aren't the man that you think you are. I have been working with some really dope producers and I have a few tricks up my sleeves when it comes to guest appearances, but that is something you will just have to listen to my music to find out. You can go to my fan page on Facebook, my Reverberation page, Sound Cloud and soon YouTube. They all host my music.
PC: Congratulations on getting that launched. Now moving on to a guy you have grown very close to over the years, Kimbo Slice. You are now advising Kimbo and your pops [Gary Shaw] felt Kimbo should have been in a boxing ring. I assume you share those same feelings.
JS: I felt that way 200% from the day I laid eyes on Kimbo on YouTube. I knew where he belonged and even though we were with Elite XC, my first call to their camp was to see if he was interested in boxing. At the time though, he was focused on MMA and I knew of his marketability and viability, so we joined forces in that platform. Now the family [Team Kimbo] have a lot of years and trust under our belts and it's fitting that the final stage of his career will come where it should have begun...in that squared circle, not a cage.
PC: Definitely. I'm sure you have been monitoring his training. How is he looking and who will be training him for his debut against Wade?
JS: Kimbo is feeling and looking great. He is healthy and focused, and most important, hungry for his bread. The man has a chip on his shoulder and the world hasn't seen a mean streak like this since Mike Tyson. He is back training with his longtime MMA/boxing coach, Randy Katami. He's also worked with Clemente Medina, who's given Kimbo some excellent Mexican boxing tutelage.
PC: It's funny you make the Tyson comparison because a lot of people felt he had a similar bob-and-weave style when he first broke onto the scene. I know you guys are taking it one fight at a time, but what's the goal for Kimbo as far as how far he can go in this heavyweight division?
JS: Well, first off, like you said, that's exactly why there's the Tyson comparisons because Kimbo has a natural bob and weave that we haven't seen since Mike. Kimbo also has what this heavyweight division lacks...killer instincts. Kimbo is a wonderful man, a family man, and he loves his fans, but his opponents, he wants to feel their bones break on his knuckles; his words, not mine (laughing). Yes, we never look at the next in line in this fight game because anything can happen, but obviously if Kimbo looks the way we feel he will look, and he comes out of that fight with a victory and not much wear and tear, then he will be back again in the fall. The goal is to expedite his learning curve, but still provide the necessary boxing homework for him to matriculate his craft. The truth is, I know what Kimbo is capable of, as does he and Mike [Icey Mike Imber], Kimbo's manager. But the world has questions, as does the sport, so starting August 13th, the Kimbo Slice Express will make it's first stop. He will let people on board and show them this isn't a runaway freight train like David Haye...or any heavyweight these days. He doesn't want to follow suit of the boring heavyweight division and be just another American heavyweight. We plan on injecting life into a dying weight class. Do we want belts? Of course that's our goal, but Kimbo wants respect much more than gold and that is why he will be such a dangerous fight for anyone out there.
PC: I look forward to seeing him in strictly standup fights. Hopefully the Kimbo Express could come through the south in the Louisiana and Mississippi area.
JS: Yes, absolutely. The plan I have is for America to be able to see, smell and touch a star. Kimbo is a star no matter what happens here as he has cemented his place in social media and pop culture history, as well as combat sports now, so I hope to be able to go places where they have never gotten to meet Kimbo Slice and have them get behind an American heavyweight who's interested in throwing fists.
PC: Good deal my man. Best of luck to you Jared with all of your endeavors. Hit me up anytime. Is there anything else you want to say before I let you go?
JS: I appreciate the interest in myself and Kimbo. Jared Ryan Shaw Music is something dear to me and I believe the people will feel it when they hear it, so definitely check out my fan page, hear the tunes, and get ready for the takeover (laughing). Like I said, thank you for your interest in Kimbo Slice as we hope to become a mainstay in this sport. If you live near Oklahoma and want to get a taste of true excitement, then get your tickets now because it will be sold out very shortly.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]