Kimbo Slice Submits Ray Mercer

The underground phenomenon now has a wider platform.

Kevin Ferguson earned a ''master of the street fights'' reputation because of dominant victories and Internet exposure. The Miami backyards and street alleys seemed distant from the structured Mixed Martial Arts backdrop of Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Different settings perhaps, but not the result. Successfully expanding his street fighting prowess to the cage, Slice defeated former heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer with a submission hold in the first round late Saturday at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 5: Two Worlds, One Cage.

Although reputed for possessing fight-ending fists during his Miami victories, Slice quickly showcased a wider arsenal practiced in mixed martial arts.

He proved just as adept at fighting on the mat.

Slice eventually forced Mercer to tap out after a defenseless Mercer succumbed to a guillotine choke hold.

The fight lasted only 1:12.

''I knew I was going to win,'' Slice was quoted as saying in The Press of Atlantic City. ``Not to brag or anything, but as my training went on for this, my confidence level sky-rocketed. I was ready for anything and everything in there.''

Mercer, 46, who once held the World Boxing Organization heavyweight title and won a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics, said he will return to boxing.

Mercer has not fought a boxing match since being stopped in seven rounds by Shannon Briggs in August 2005 at the Hard Rock Live Arena in Hollywood.

Source: www.miamiherald.com