How protected was Kimbo Slice in CBS-televised fight?

I'm wrapping up reporting for an article that will be posted later today about the controversy surrounding unknown Seth Petruzelli's upset knockout of Kimbo Slice in the main event of Saturday night's Elite XC mixed martial arts show on CBS.

Petruzelli, who was a last-minute replacement for injured MMA veteran Ken Shamrock, told a Florida radio station Monday that Elite XC promoters "gave me the money to stand and trade with him. They didn’t want me to take him down." He has since amended his comments, and Elite XC officials say they've only directed their fighters to produce "exciting" matches.

Yet, in light of the company's tremendous financial struggles, questions persist about the measures Elite XC has taken to protect its top star -- an Internet street-fighting sensation made famous in his YouTube "Kimbo fights." By standing up instead of taking the fight to the ground, where Kimbo got beat up by a journeyman before gaining an unimpressive victory last time out, Petruzelli would be playing to Kimbo's strength. 

You'll see comments from CBS analyst Frank Shamrock about this hot topic, and boxing promoter Richard Schaefer weighs in on the ethics of promoters providing direction to a fighter when representing both men in the cage.

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: Kimbo Slice's tough-guy reputation took a big hit in his 14-second loss to Seth Petruzelli on Saturday night. His fight organization, Elite XC, now finds itself being drubbed by questions about the lengths it went to protect its top fighter from defeat.  Credit: Mel Malcon / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Hannah Blain]

He's still my Hero <+

[Josh]

i dont think its to any surprise that they tried to protect Kimbo, i dont blame EliteXc for it either, Kimbo was there only guy who could pack the house, it was great for exposure to there real fighters, and a great way to bring in big names, Kimbo opened up alot of doors for a mma business going under, anybody he refutes this is just plain ignorant, him losing is the worst thing to happen to EliteXc at the worst possible time, now they need Tito Ortiz or i dont see them surviving 2009

[luke]

kimbo is simply another token black that is being promoted to draw ticket sales. he has average ability on his feet and no ability on the ground. action speak louder than words......

[W]

I totally agree with Josh! There's the competitve side and there's the business side. For MMA purists, Kimbo represents all that is wrong for sports . . . to give guys like him and UFC's Brock Lesnar big $ and exposure with zero experience is an abomination! However, on the business side, Kimbo and Brock put a$$es in the seats and bring in pay-per-view subscriptions for nothing else but their names and perceived reputations . . . no different than putting Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton on the cover of magazines and papers. We consider them newsworthy and worth our attention for, well . . . nothing. If I'm EliteXC, I've got to do what I can to keep the company alive and if Kimbo's my bread and butter, he can't go down, 'cause EliteXC goes down with him. I WILL give them, Kimbo, and CBS one more try to turn it around . . . I'm sure they'll try the Kimbo-Shamrock fight again, and I'm sure Kimbo will win, but if he doesn't, expect the company to fold. That's just the reality of spectator sport. The NBA probably celebrated like they hadn't in years after the Celtics won the title last season . . . after years of boring personalities of the Spurs, Pistons, and Heat, they needed a big story and headliner to get the fans excited again. Yes, it's sports, but it's pro-sports, which is $$$ FIRST . . . if you want competition for competition sake go to the rec-center or nearest MMA or boxing gym.

[Kimbo Jr.]

He's human, just like everyone else. We made him a star. He didn't ask for the fame and he didn't get to choose who he fought. He's a true warrior and a man of his word: "I will not tap out."

[Shane Daly]

Great to see the vile bully finally getting BEAT DOWN!!!!! HOORAY!!

[MMAFightGirls.com]

Although Kimbo may be a great street fighter, his boxing styles can only take him so far in the MMA world. He's still growing as an MMA fighter and won't fair well against seasoned, well rounded fighters. Until his skills improve, expect promoters to play such games.

[Paul]

One last time for everyone who missed it or wasn't sure.. Kimbo Slice is a side show.

[Supernaut]

There is no contraversy in my book. In fact, the contraversy is the negative media hype. Seth Petrozelli got paid to win. He wasn't paid to lose. Maybe they offered him a bonus if he traded blows. So what. Fact is, they paid him to win, and he won fair and square. But I'd like to see him do it twice. That would make him a champion.

[jerry D]

KIMBO YOU BETTER MAN UP REMATCH AND SHOW HIM WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!!!! HERO TILL THE END

[Terry]

Not sure what all the fuss is about. I don't think there was any wrong doing here. If there was, wouldn't EliteXC face some kind of legal action from the Florida State Athletic Commission and other legitimate bodies? We're lucky we saw Kimbo fight since they could have canceled his bout. I pulled this statement from MMAWeekly.com which I think explains the situation clearly.

Press reports that EliteXC suggested or paid money to heavyweight fighter Seth Petruzelli to keep his fight against Kimbo Slice off the ground are false. Let me be perfectly clear with no ambiguity -- that did not happen.

Seth Petruzelli was offered a fee to fight Kimbo Slice, plus a knockout bonus, a common practice throughout the industry. EliteXC organizes and promotes fights. We have not...do not...and will not suggest or dictate fighters’ strategies or tactics. How the fighters perform in the cage is at the sole discretion of the athletes involved.

The circumstances leading up to the Petruzelli/Slice fight were unusual. Ken Shamrock was declared medically ineligible less than three hours before the fight. As an organization, we made a decision to serve the paying audience in the arena and the prime time audience at home by delivering on a Kimbo Slice fight, which we had promised. This was done simply and solely with a standard fee and bonus offer to Petruzelli and by increasing the purse to Slice. Elite XC is grateful to both Seth and Kimbo for taking this fight against an opponent they didn’t train for and on such short notice.

In addition, reports that Frank Shamrock volunteered that evening to fight Kimbo Slice are true. Frank is a competitive fighter and he was willing to step up for his organization and the MMA fans. His offer was very greatly appreciated, but everyone in the room knew when he made the offer that it wasn’t a realistic possibility on such short notice.

Despite all the craziness leading up to and in the aftermath of the event, the evening was a resounding success. The fights were diverse, impressive and entertaining, and I think the Seth/Kimbo fight speaks to the excitement and unpredictability of the sport. Great potential match-ups lie ahead for all the fighters involved that evening. And, the television ratings exceeded everyone’s expectations. In fact, the broadcast on CBS was the #1 entertainment and sports program of the night among the adults 18-34 and male 18-34 demographics, topping competing MLB Baseball Divisional games on TBS and college football games on both broadcast and cable. These ratings, and the intense discussion that has followed, speak volumes to the interest and future of this growing sport.

STATEMENT FROM JEREMY LAPPEN,

HEAD OF FIGHT OPERATIONS, ELITEXC