For obvious reasons, there are nicknames in boxing I don't like. Like, let's say, if someone was nicknamed "The Killer" or "Silent But Deadly" or "SBD" for example. I dont know anyone with those nicknames but I dont think it would be appropriate for a boxing career. I always thought that Jesus Chavez should have never again used the nickname "El Matador" ("The Killer") after his fight with Leavander Johnson. On the other hand, after 9/11, Bernard Hopkins, who looked like a jerk when he threw the Puerto Rican flags in Puerto Rico before his fight with Felix Trinidad despite everyone knowing it was just an advertisement stunt to heat up the public, did the right thing by not using his nickname "The Executioner" the day of the fight. Is there any boxer you thought used an inappropriate nickname or who should change it to something else given what could happen in a ring or circumstances beyond it?
I think it was Sam Langford who went by the name “ the Boston Tar baby “ or something. Today that would be considered quite racist
Just my personal preference, but I don't think anybody who fights for a living, or just any grown man for that matter should ever have the words "sweet" or "baby" in their name. As for inappropriate names, I tend to prefer those...."The White Mike Tyson" ranks as one of my all time favorites. Anytime you pay homage to someone but change their race in the process, that's some top level s***
The more inappropriate the nickname is, the better it is! Jimmy McLarnin's nickname is darkly hilarious; the Jew Killer. Another offensive one is Canelo's, since his nickname literally jokes about how he's a ginger.
Were Mexican fans ever offended by Manny Pacquiao been labelled the Mexicutioner? I think it was the media that called him that as I don’t think he ever actually referred to himself as that.
Joshua Zuniga - SBD (Silent But Deadly) Pietro Aurino - The Killer I can't see any nickname could be classed as inappropriate as such other than the obvious like suggesting they harm kids etc. Nicknames are least of your worries in a sport that pits you against another person, whose sole aim is to hit you multiple times to the head and body.
Regarding Hopkins, I remember that fight. Not only did he stop using the name ( I'm pretty sure he changed it to the Alien after) but he stopped wearing the black executioner mask and using the cut throat gesture. My memory is faded but I think it was an article that stated he stopped wearing the mask and name after Americans were being beheaded on camera and streamed on the internet during the middle east conflict.
Tyson Fury should drop the “sy” and call himself the Gyp King. Brown Bomber? Is that necessarily considered inappropriate/racist these days? Ali bestowed the nick The Acorn upon Earnie Shavers - he even had a ring made up set with an “acorn” - Earnie refused to accept it - surprise, surprise. Otherwise, I think Ali called Holmes pin head and Norton also called Larry Neanderthal Man - which, tbh, was pretty low.
Some nicknames are fine depending upon context & how the one carrying it feels. Referring to color itself is not intrinsically racist-depends on how it is intended & taken. "The Bronze Bomber" is actually a pretty cool take on a variant of a legend. Using a nickname that describes destroying a certain group or ethnicity can clearly be problemantic. If intended & taken in a good-natured spirt it might pass muster. But with all the history of Monstrous racism & hate it is risky. A bar I went to for a vocal competition tonight & used to do parties for my arts festival/stored tons of my publication in the basement had a burly 6'8" baby-faced bouncer who said he was undefeated in basically sawdust floor undefeated fights had a nickname suggested by a thin 'lil puckish young guy-"the ticklish 'taint". He earned a token straight right to the shoulder with that one, but it was all in fun. But that would be about the worst possible non-hateful or evil nickname lol!
