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?
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.
I like the story how Hearns said Mike McCallum was a bodysnatcher during sparring and it stuck to Mike.
How did Carpentier get that God awful 'Orchid Man' nickname? He used to wear one in his lapel or something?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.