By DAHALIA SMITH,NG Sports Reporter,dahalia@nasguard.com

Bahamian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) professional fighter Kevin 'Kimbo Slice' Ferguson, exclusively revealed to The Nassau Guardian his desire to have the nation's premier trainer, Ray Minus Jr., show him the ropes when the time is right for him to turn pro in stand-up boxing.

The Showtime EliteXC star, in yesterday's edition of The Nassau Guardian, expressed a wish to "switch sports" and venture into the professional boxing arena as soon as his MMA contract is fulfilled. He is adamant about working with former national boxing champion, Minus, given one surety - they click.

He noted: "I would not want any other trainer, than one, that is from my country. If the chemistry is there then yes he is going to be my main guy. We both discussed me training with Ray in that when I come here he will work with me and show me a few things. I am not all that, and I still consider myself a baby in the fighting world, so I am going to hold him to his word. We both have an understanding and are willing to work with one another but we have not made that commitment yet."

Given both backgrounds, it seems as if a 'Kimbo Slice'/Minus collaboration would solidify a one-two combination knockout.

'Kimbo Slice' rocketed to stardom in MMA fighting, first on the Internet with over 10 millions views, then in the pro-MMA world. He currently has a 3-1 win/loss record. Meanwhile, Minus has spawned numerous Bahamian pro title holders from his camp namely British Commonwealth and World Boxing Council's (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Super Middleweight Champion Jermaine 'Choo Choo' Mackey. Minus also managed and coached World Boxing Association (WBA) Fede Caribe Middleweight Champion Elkena 'Punisher' Saunders.

First however, Ferguson remains loyal to his MMA contract.

"Every fighter and athlete knows that you should not switch camps in the middle of something. Also, I train in Florida. My MMA trainer will also be training me for stand-up boxing. On the first go round or couple fights, I will be training with a fighter from there because I would have to work on certain things that would make it easier for me to maneuver between Florida and Nassau. Finishing up my contract would allow me to be a free agent and it is at that point when I will be able to communicate with Ray," he explained.

Ferguson further noted receiving accolades does not inspire him to remain a fighter and walking away from MMA fame won't be that difficult.

"I am still a little squirrel in this big, big world just trying to get a nut. I have not attained any major goals yet," he said. "I commit and dedicate myself to something that I love. Everyone has a calling in their lives and fighting is something that I love. I have been fighting for a very long time for different causes and reasons. The older I get the wiser I become. Even now, coming here [The Bahamas] and burying one of my relatives gives me a new reason to fight again. It's like I am hungry all over again. I guess the way I took the Internet and MMA by storm, I feel like this is another reason to try and take the boxing world by storm," he added.

Minus could not be contacted for a response up to press time Tuesday night. He was in transit to Ontario, Canada where the promoters at Casino Rama invited one of his heavyweight fighters, Jerry 'Big Daddy' Butler, to fight on their card against Diametric King this Friday night.

Apparently, the Casino Rama promoters considered Butler a formidable opponent for King this time around after he drew against Venezuelan Olympic silver medalist Wilmer Vazquez at the Florida based Hard Rock Casino in November 2008.

In related news, the WBA Fede Caribe and British Commonwealth Super Middleweight double title defense bout, which was scheduled to come off between Mackey and Trinidad & Tobago's Kirt Sinnette in Trinidad did not happen. According to Mackey and his agent at First Class Promotions, he relinquished the WBA title because it was in conflict with the Commonwealth title.

"I would have been putting the Commonwealth title on the line in jeopardy and it was not a mandatory title defense," said Mackey. "I continue to train everyday so I am always prepared and will be ready when that day comes. I thank all of the sponsors for standing by me through all of these hard times such as Nautilus Water, Prime Bahamas and V8-Splash. Also, I want my fans to know that I will be 100 percent healthy come fight night and The Bahamas will be number one again in the British Commonwealth region."

Mackey's British Commonwealth title fight has been rescheduled to May 23 at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.