Winston Duke to portray Kimbo Slice in Backyard Legend

Winston Duke (Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War) will be playing the late MMA fighting legend Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson in the upcoming biopic Backyard Legend, Deadline has confirmed.

The story — written by Andy Weiss (White Boy Rick) — centers on the backyard brawler turned mixed martial artist who rose to fame and from homelessness after YouTube audiences were drawn to his backyard fight videos. Slice died at the age of 42 from heart failure and a liver mass in June 2016.

Before his death, Slice won a three-round heavyweight match against Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris at Bellator 149 in Houston. Slice also entered the UFC octagon back in 2009-2010, where he beat Houston Alexander before his loss to Matt Mitrione at UFC 113.

Producer Steve Lee Jones (Bigger) said: “It’s a rich and layered tale about this man’s incredible journey from a poor neighborhood in Miami to becoming a worldwide phenomenon. We are ecstatic that Winston has decided to take on this both physically and emotionally challenging role. We simply could not find a better Kimbo!”

“I’m looking forward to exploring Kimbo’s story and interrogating the expectations society places on men like him who are their own special breed of hero,” added Duke.

Steve Lee Jones’ Bee Holder Productions and Michael J. Weiss’ Webros Entertainment will produce the film with Duke executive producing alongside Kimbo’s friend, manager, and employer Michael Imber, who will be portrayed in the project as well.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)