Best stories behind nicknames

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Saintpat, May 20, 2013.


  1. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Pernell Whitaker was nicknamed "Sweet Pea" apparently because a sports writer covering him in an amateur tournament misunderstood the crowd chanting "Sweet Pete," as he was actually known.

    Everett "Bigfoot" Martin actually had small feet -- but he was a hairy sonofagun much like the mythical beast.

    What are some others?
     
  2. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I always thought Tony Galeto's nickname of 'two ton' was because of his ample weight. However, I just read a story on this one. It appears Tony was to appear on a card but there was no sign of him. The nervous promoter was outside the Arena looking around when up walks Tony. Apparently Tony would deliver ice in his day job and when the promoter started screaming at him Tony said, non-plussed, "Will you relax, I just delivered two tons of ice. I'll get dressed and I'll be right up." The name obviously stuck.
     
  3. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Six Heads Lewis was something to do with making opponents see six of his head, I think.
     
  4. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    I like the story how Hearns said Mike McCallum was a bodysnatcher during sparring and it stuck to Mike.
     
  5. Jack Dempsey

    Jack Dempsey Legend Full Member

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    How did Carpentier get that God awful 'Orchid Man' nickname?

    He used to wear one in his lapel or something?
     
  6. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Bummy Davis real name was Abraham Davidoff and a Yiddish nickname is Vroomy, which morphed into Boomy to Bummy.

    He was a converted southpaw and had a monster left hook. Tough Russian Jewish family, his older brother Big Gangy (Willie) got 30-to life for a triple homicide and his other brother little gangy (Harry) was a union boss for the teamsters in NY.

    Bummy lost his life at a holdup in a bar that was owned by his friend after attempting to help.
     
  7. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Anyone know how Ding-A-Ling got his nickname?
     
  8. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I heard that Sonny Liston got his name because there were that many kids in his house his father couldn't remember all the names. He just called them all Sonny.
     
  9. MMJoe

    MMJoe Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don't know, I'll ask the Onion Farmer the next time I see him.
     
  10. The Funny Man 7

    The Funny Man 7 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think the American press gave Georges Carpentier his name. I think it had something to do with his daper persona and the way women went banana's over the disparity between his vicious fighting style and his fragile, delicate appearance.
     
  11. The Funny Man 7

    The Funny Man 7 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I like Steve 'Two Pound' Forbes getting his nickname from being born ill and premature.
     
  12. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    My favorite is Acelino 'Popo' Freitas. Freitas admitted to being breast fed until he was 6 or 8 years old. The term 'Popo' is Portugese slang for the sucking sound a baby makes while nursing. Tooooooooo funny.
     
  13. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Pipino is a pickle of a nickname, but I assume Jose Cuevas must have been as cool as a cucumber with his stoic demeanor.

    I thought "Orchid Man" was code for gay.
     
  14. Theron

    Theron Boxing Addict banned

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  15. heavy_hands

    heavy_hands Guest

    lol cucumber is not= pipino in spanish, i t is pepino lmao