CORAL SPRINGS, FL - Wikipedia lists an impressive number of people who have left their mark on Coral Springs. The list identifies people from diplomacy, politics, music, athletics, and many in sterling business careers. Most would easily be associated with this town. Over time, we will explore the life and times of some of them.

Kimbo Slice would not cause someone to call out "KIMBO SLICE" in a game of name the notables. But notable he is in many ways.

Most importantly for us, he spent much of his adult life living in South Florida, including Coral Springs, and after a brief and sudden illness that was heart-related, he was rushed to and died at Northwest Hospital in Margate. The father of six went into the hospital for a suspected heart problem. He died a day later, the autopsy showing a large mass on his liver.

SIGNUPSCRIPT

At 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighing 235 pounds, Slice seemed to have as little body fat as one could and still be healthy. As a professional fighter, he cut a formidable figure, and one would have to be nuts to irritate him.

Born in Nassau, The Bahamas, he was raised in south Miami. His career began in the world of "The Fight Club." He became a cult classic from his videos of bare-knuckle fighting. They became an internet sensation.

Rolling Stone called him "The King of Web Brawlers." In 2005, Slice started training in martial arts at the Freestyle Fighting Academy under Marcos and David Avelin.**BULLSEYE

At first, Slice was training exclusively for street boxing, focusing on bare-knuckle techniques, dirty boxing from the clinch, and elbows — but then he began to develop an interest in MMA. Slice signed to make his MMA debut against former WBO Heavyweight champion and Olympic gold-medalist boxer Ray Mercer. For MMA fans, you may have likely seen him with EliteXC, UFC, and Bellator MMA.

Slice made his pro boxing debut on August 13, 2011. He fought in a four-round headline attraction. He won the fight via KO at 0:10 in the first round.

In his next fight, Tay Bledsoe was the victim via KO in the first round. He next defeated Charles Hackmann by unanimous decision, winning three out of four rounds.**STANDARD

Slice's next fight was in Australia. He defeated Shane Tilyard (6-6) by TKO in the second round.

Slice trained for Sumo wrestling but never had a match. He also had an acting career in commercials and movies.

Amazingly, all of this was done by age 42, but then someone bigger than Kimbo, knocked out his lights.**BULLSEYE

William A. Gralnick is a columnist for TAPinto Coral Springs. Read his columns here.

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