A five-fight losing streak apparently has done nothing to shake Ken Shamrock's confidence. There isn't a hint of doubt in his voice that Saturday night (CBS at 9 ET) he will become the first to beat Kimbo Slice in a cage.
"I'm gonna be too fast for him," Shamrock said. "He's gonna eat my punches and kicks."
"I'm gonna be too fast for him," Shamrock said. "He's gonna eat my punches and kicks."
It is difficult to share Shamrock's enthusiasm. Throughout this current losing skid, he has failed to get out of the first round.
The culprit is his now vulnerable chin. At 44, the hall of famer no longer takes a good punch. And a weak chin plays right to Slice's strength.
But Shamrock is undeterred.
While others have focused on his declining physical skills, Shamrock (26-13-2) is encouraged by Slice's limited talents in the cage. He even shrugs off Slice's well-documented punching power.
"The only time he knocks anyone out is when they get tired," said Shamrock, who faces Slice at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. "I don't respect his power or grappling ability. I'm gonna go in there and whip [him]."
The culprit is his now vulnerable chin. At 44, the hall of famer no longer takes a good punch. And a weak chin plays right to Slice's strength.
But Shamrock is undeterred.
While others have focused on his declining physical skills, Shamrock (26-13-2) is encouraged by Slice's limited talents in the cage. He even shrugs off Slice's well-documented punching power.
"The only time he knocks anyone out is when they get tired," said Shamrock, who faces Slice at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. "I don't respect his power or grappling ability. I'm gonna go in there and whip [him]."
Despite such assuredness, it is hard to imagine Shamrock taking Slice's punching power lightly. But for his ability to hit hard, Slice would not be unbeaten in mixed martial arts competition.
Slice, a Miami resident whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, has only three professional MMA fights -- none has gone the distance. The most recent bout, however, intensified doubts about his legitimacy as a cage fighter.
James Thompson, a 6-foot-5, 265-pounder, was thought to be an easy opponent for Slice. The fight -- held May 31 in Newark, N.J. -- was expected to last no more than a round.
But Thompson tossed a monkey wrench into Slice's plans. He took Slice to the ground and nearly submitted him.
Slice survived the ground attack and eventually came away with a disputed third-round TKO. But the fight proved he is vulnerable when forced off his feet. His cardio, or lack thereof, also came into question.
If Shamrock is to pull off an upset, taking this fight to the ground might be his best approach. Slice, however, insists he is prepared to succeed standing up or on the ground.
Slice, a Miami resident whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, has only three professional MMA fights -- none has gone the distance. The most recent bout, however, intensified doubts about his legitimacy as a cage fighter.
James Thompson, a 6-foot-5, 265-pounder, was thought to be an easy opponent for Slice. The fight -- held May 31 in Newark, N.J. -- was expected to last no more than a round.
But Thompson tossed a monkey wrench into Slice's plans. He took Slice to the ground and nearly submitted him.
Slice survived the ground attack and eventually came away with a disputed third-round TKO. But the fight proved he is vulnerable when forced off his feet. His cardio, or lack thereof, also came into question.
If Shamrock is to pull off an upset, taking this fight to the ground might be his best approach. Slice, however, insists he is prepared to succeed standing up or on the ground.
Source: Espn.com
October 2, 2008 8:13 AM
Kimbo is a street fighter, shamrock is ancient...interesting battle!