One of the most recognizable faces in MMA fighting, Kimbo Slice has picked up and moved to Southern California as he prepares to begin his professional boxing career. Slice recently signed a deal with Boxing Promoter Gary Shaw with the intentions of climbing into the squared circle as a pure boxer sometime before the end of the year.

The 6’1” Slice showed up to The Maywood Gym Monday morning and with Gary Shaw looking on Slice wrapped up his hands and got his boxing career under way.

Under the tutelage of trainer Clemente Medina, the former MMA star is in good hands. If Medina’s name sounds familiar that’s because he is the man who has guided Jr. Middleweight Interim Champ Alfredo Angulo’s career.

“El Perro” was also on hand and kept a watchful eye on his newest stable mate. Along with Medina, Shaw has brought in Darryl Hudson as his strength and conditioning coach.

Shaw, who flew across the country assured Pound4Pound.com that he was going to make sure Kimbo gets in the proper work before he sets the fighting machine loose, “The last thing I want to do is make this a sideshow,” said Shaw who added, “I look for somewhere around November or December before we see him in the ring.”

“I am not looking to hype this and rob the fans money like that James Toney vs. Randy Couture fight. The only way Toney could have won that fight is if when the bell rang Couture fell over and had a heart attack. It wasn’t a fight at all and Toney didn’t even come into the fight in shape or looking like a fighter,” exclaimed Shaw.

On the contrary Shaw noted, “As you can see Kimbo came here in shape, he’s down to about 218 pounds and as he gets ready we will move him up slowly, but he will climb up that ladder. Look, this guy started out as a backyard fighter and that takes more nuts to do that than just about anything he will see in the ring with a referee ready to jump in when he hurts someone or gets hurt.”

As Shaw said, the last thing we are going to have to worry about is Slice getting hit or getting hurt and then wanting to get out. An excited Shaw then asked, “Did you see him hitting the pads? He is naturally offensive, and he wants to come forward and attack...that’s a great sign!”

All signs point to Kimbo Slice making his professional boxing debut in the next few months and it should be something to see. Kimbo isn’t known to say no to any challenge and you have to assume he is ready, willing and soon to be able to take on his new job with a full head of steam!