Roy Nelson could be next in line for Kimbo Slice

FiveOuncesOfPain.com was informed by IFL President and CEO Jay Larkin earlier this morning that casual talks have taken place between his organization and EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw regarding an inter-promotional fight between IFL heavyweight champion Roy Nelson and Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson.

According to Larkin, formal talks about a Nelson vs. Slice fight have yet to take place but discussions could intensify Monday morning, depending on the outcome of Slice’s heavyweight bout during EliteXC’s debut on CBS this Saturday night.

“If Kimbo wins, we’ll make that match (Nelson vs. Slice) without hesitation,” Larkin said during an exclusive interview with Five Ounces of Pain. “We”ll do in on an IFL card or an Elite card — we don’t care. Promotions working together is the only way for this business to grow.”

Both Larkin and Shaw have worked together for over 20 years and the two were involved with numerous boxing co-promotions while Larkin was the head of SHOWTIME Sports. In fact, both Larkin and Shaw are responsible for the creation one of SHOWTIME’s boxing staples, “ShoBox.”

Nelson recently defeated Brad Imes via TKO in the first round at the IFL’s most recent event in Connecticut on May 16.

Nelson is 13-2 in his MMA career with victories over some of the best heavyweight competition in the IFL, including Fabiano Scherner, Antoine Jaoude, and Bryan Vetell. One of his only losses came against former IFL heavyweight Ben Rothwell in a fight that some believe Nelson won. He and Slice also have something in common, and that’s a victory over Bo Cantrell.

In addition to Cantrell, Slice also holds a first round knockout over Tank Abbott and finished former boxing champion Ray Mercer in the first round of an MMA exhibition.