Watching the 14 second destruction of Kimbo Slice last night left me a little empty inside. On one hand I got to meet Bas Rutten just a week ago at the Paradise Warrior Retreat in Toronto and I can't tell you how much respect I have for Bas as both a former champ and a teacher/trainer. On the other hand having witnessed Kimbo's last fight against James Thompson I was less than impressed with his all round game.
It's not Kimbo's fault that he gets all of the press attention, but still he is not yet a top 10 (or even 20) heavyweight contender and last night certainly proved that point. Seth Petruzelli caught Kimbo with the first punch he threw and Kimbo went down, it almost looked like half knockdown and half slip Kimbo's torso didn't actually hit the ground, but it was Kimbo's groundwork afterward that caught my attention. I'm not sure if Slice was dazed or if he really is that stiff on the ground. Kimbo caught 3 or 4 of the 10 or so punches that Petruzelli threw, but offered up no real defense and that's why the fight got stopped.
I am sure that Kimbo could have continued and even looked like he was ready to get back up when the ref stepped in, but it was too late. Kimbo needs to learn how to deal with these kinds of situations or he's going to fail as a fighter. Kimbo was gracious in defeat, giving props to Seth for stepping up and taking the fight "It's all good" he proclaimed and let everyone know that the after party was still on.
I can't wait to hear Bas Rutten's take on the fight and the last minute opponent change from an injured (cut above his eye) Ken Shamrock to Seth Petruzelli.
So, what do you think? Was Kimbo exposed? Was he just caught with a big shot and dazed? Was the ref stoppage too early, or justified?
