Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most?

Boilermaker · 10-06-2012, 06:11 AM

I think that Nicknames often effect a fighters legacy, for better or worse, what nicknames can be thought to have effected a legacy the most?

Off hand, i can think of:
Jack Johnson - The Galveston Giant. People regularly think that Jack Johnson was a considered a giant amongst heavyweights of the time. He wasnt.

Bonecrusher Smith - Gives the impression of freakish finish ability and power, i doubt hed have been remembered as fondly, if he was called the Quiet Man James Smith or something similar.

Razor Ruddock - Another nickname which gave many people the impression he was a little bit sharper than he probably was.

Sugar Ray Leonard - Great fighter, but isnt his legacy made even better by the Sugar Moniker.

The Greatest - Muhammed Ali. Would he be the same consensus no 1 if he was just plain old casius Clay?

Fat Willie Meehan - He was actually quite a skilled fighter. If his name was fast Willie Meehan or Razor Willie Meehan, he would probably be ranked quite a bit higher.

Gentleman Jim Corbett - Cuts both ways this one, affecting his legacy in and out of the ring. I think Sugar Jim Corbett could easily making him seen as the true icon that he was during his time. Of Course, Pompous Jim Corbett might have him seen today as more of his true perona according to some.

Any other nicknames that have really made, or broke, a fighter?

Absolutely! · 10-06-2012, 06:50 AM

Iron Mike Tyson. Just a very iconic nickname that inextricably linked itself with the man and added to his "invincible hardman" persona, for good or ill.

Pacman - not really descriptive of the fighter or his persona, just a very recognisable nickname that even casual fans know about. Easier to remember (and spell) than Pacquiao. May have aided in internet searches.

Lights Out - makes Toney look like some killer knockout puncher.

Sugar Shane - maybe a bit more apt in his earlier days, but certainly not in his later ones. Still, it had a nice alliterative ring to it.

Hitman Hatton - Hatton was a little beast when this name was coined, but not a precise one punch knockout puncher like I associate with the name. Catchy name though, like Sugar.

kingfisher3 · 10-06-2012, 07:44 AM

nonparail jack dempsy, both nickname and actual name.

Derrick-Rose · 10-06-2012, 08:02 AM

Marvellous Marvin Hagler

Sugar Nikolai Valujew

Boxed Ears · 10-06-2012, 08:18 AM

Johnny "DQ me, I'm so bad" McFunt. That mufucka got DQ'd about 41 times. And he was winning all them fights.

janitor · 10-06-2012, 03:52 PM

I somtimes think that the name "bum of the month club" has left an unfairly negative impresion on some of the fighters concerned.

Vince Voltage · 10-06-2012, 03:56 PM

definitely "The Greatest" helped brainwash a generation.

And Richard Mayorga is most definitely NOT a matador.

It was hard to take Winky Wright seriously for a long time, too.

BillB · 10-06-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Voltage

definitely "The Greatest" helped brainwash a generation.

And Richard Mayorga is most definitely NOT a matador.

It was hard to take Winky Wright seriously for a long time, too.

"The Greatest" was a self administered nickname. He gave it to himself.

I think "The Louisville Lip" was a lot better and more accurate.

grumpy · 10-06-2012, 04:51 PM

"Pretty boy" Floyd, I've always thought it was kind of wussy.

FIN · 10-06-2012, 05:39 PM

Executioner hopkins,sounds like a guy who is a ko artist or vicious fighter,not a clever defensive fighter who spoils...

SJS19 · 10-06-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpy

"Pretty boy" Floyd, I've always thought it was kind of wussy.

When you know the context of it, it's actually one of the cleverer nicknames in Boxing history. Much better than 'Money' in my opinion.

I have no problem with 'Sugar' Shane Mosley or with Ricky 'Hitman' Hatton.

'The Golden Boy' suited DLH to the ground, from his Olympic medal, to his ten world titles, to his box office appeal.

TIGEREDGE · 10-06-2012, 05:43 PM

nigel benns nickname was very fitting. he was a dark destroyer

MAG1965 · 10-06-2012, 08:49 PM

I liked Ricky Hatton and Jeff Harding, but the original hitman Thomas Hearns was hard to follow. I always saw Tommy as the original obviously.

Dempsey1238 · 10-06-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJS19

When you know the context of it, it's actually one of the cleverer nicknames in Boxing history. Much better than 'Money' in my opinion.

I have no problem with 'Sugar' Shane Mosley or with Ricky 'Hitman' Hatton.

'The Golden Boy' suited DLH to the ground, from his Olympic medal, to his ten world titles, to his box office appeal.

Sometimes I wonder if he took that named off of the fame 1930's gangster. Now that you think of it, Gangsters from that time have as cool nicknames as boxers lol.

doug.ie · 10-07-2012, 03:07 AM

tell me....what pops into your mind every time you hear tina turner - simply the best played on radio or telly?

10-06-2012, 06:11 AM	#1
Boilermaker Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,769 vCash: 685	Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? I think that Nicknames often effect a fighters legacy, for better or worse, what nicknames can be thought to have effected a legacy the most? Off hand, i can think of: Jack Johnson - The Galveston Giant. People regularly think that Jack Johnson was a considered a giant amongst heavyweights of the time. He wasnt. Bonecrusher Smith - Gives the impression of freakish finish ability and power, i doubt hed have been remembered as fondly, if he was called the Quiet Man James Smith or something similar. Razor Ruddock - Another nickname which gave many people the impression he was a little bit sharper than he probably was. Sugar Ray Leonard - Great fighter, but isnt his legacy made even better by the Sugar Moniker. The Greatest - Muhammed Ali. Would he be the same consensus no 1 if he was just plain old casius Clay? Fat Willie Meehan - He was actually quite a skilled fighter. If his name was fast Willie Meehan or Razor Willie Meehan, he would probably be ranked quite a bit higher. Gentleman Jim Corbett - Cuts both ways this one, affecting his legacy in and out of the ring. I think Sugar Jim Corbett could easily making him seen as the true icon that he was during his time. Of Course, Pompous Jim Corbett might have him seen today as more of his true perona according to some. Any other nicknames that have really made, or broke, a fighter?
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10-06-2012, 06:50 AM	#2
Absolutely! Fabulous, darling! ESB Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: A cut above my left nose Posts: 3,011 vCash: 500	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? Iron Mike Tyson. Just a very iconic nickname that inextricably linked itself with the man and added to his "invincible hardman" persona, for good or ill. Pacman - not really descriptive of the fighter or his persona, just a very recognisable nickname that even casual fans know about. Easier to remember (and spell) than Pacquiao. May have aided in internet searches. Lights Out - makes Toney look like some killer knockout puncher. Sugar Shane - maybe a bit more apt in his earlier days, but certainly not in his later ones. Still, it had a nice alliterative ring to it. Hitman Hatton - Hatton was a little beast when this name was coined, but not a precise one punch knockout puncher like I associate with the name. Catchy name though, like Sugar.
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10-06-2012, 07:44 AM	#3
kingfisher3 Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: south london Posts: 728 vCash: 500	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? nonparail jack dempsy, both nickname and actual name.
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10-06-2012, 08:02 AM	#4
Derrick-Rose Journeyman ESB Jr Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 286 vCash: 500	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? Marvellous Marvin Hagler Sugar Nikolai Valujew
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10-06-2012, 08:18 AM	#5
Boxed Ears Lowering Post Count East Side VIP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brunoilia, Hehsland Posts: 51,277 vCash: 7500	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? Johnny "DQ me, I'm so bad" McFunt. That mufucka got DQ'd about 41 times. And he was winning all them fights.
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10-06-2012, 03:52 PM	#6
janitor P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 19,020 vCash: 1000	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? I somtimes think that the name "bum of the month club" has left an unfairly negative impresion on some of the fighters concerned.
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10-06-2012, 03:56 PM	#7
Vince Voltage Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 886 vCash: 500	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? definitely "The Greatest" helped brainwash a generation. And Richard Mayorga is most definitely NOT a matador. It was hard to take Winky Wright seriously for a long time, too.
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10-06-2012, 04:51 PM	#9
grumpy Journeyman ESB Jr Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 241 vCash: 1000	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? "Pretty boy" Floyd, I've always thought it was kind of wussy.
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10-06-2012, 05:39 PM	#10
FIN Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,377 vCash: 500	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? Executioner hopkins,sounds like a guy who is a ko artist or vicious fighter,not a clever defensive fighter who spoils...
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10-06-2012, 05:43 PM	#12
TIGEREDGE Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,311 vCash: 1000	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? nigel benns nickname was very fitting. he was a dark destroyer
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10-06-2012, 08:49 PM	#13
MAG1965 P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dallas,Texas. Posts: 18,161 vCash: 1010	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? I liked Ricky Hatton and Jeff Harding, but the original hitman Thomas Hearns was hard to follow. I always saw Tommy as the original obviously.
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10-07-2012, 03:07 AM	#15
doug.ie broadcasting from a shed East Side Guru Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: sligo, ireland Posts: 9,601 vCash: 75	Re: Which Nickname has affected a fighter's legacy the most? tell me....what pops into your mind every time you hear tina turner - simply the best played on radio or telly?
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