I can’t think of other sports where athletes have been nicknamed “The This Kid” or the “Kid That.” But there’s more kids in boxing history than in a lot of school districts. So who was the first? Where did it come from? Anyone have any insight into all these kids?
Kid McCoy came before those mentioned above. I wouldn't be surprised to learn from specialists in the bare-knuckle era that there may have been others named "Kid" or "Young" before him though.
Every fighter in America was probably called kid at some point by a trainer, manager or promoter - as in, 'you're gonna go far, kid' or 'I'll make you a star, kid" (preferably said in a Edward G Robinson accent and followed with the word 'see').
In chronological order. Good Kids all of ‘em. Georges Kid Lavigne (gotta be the first) Charles Kid McCoy Kid Norfolk Kid Williams Ted Kid Lewis Jack Kid Wolfe Louis Kid Kaplan Jack Kid Berg Kid Chocolate Kid Azteca Cocoa Kid Kid Gavilan
The correct answer is Nonpareil “Kid Tom” McMustache, not to be mistaken with Boston Tom McMustache, the famed Philadelphian from Wyoming by way of Chicago, who fought out of St. Louis while residing in Arizona.
https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/221953 Found one that just beats out Lavigne. Not exactly a big hitter, though.
Kid Carter was decent, beat a past it Choynski, and Joe Walcott. There's also Kid Herman who fought Abe Attell and Joe Gans.