All-Time Worst Boxing Nicknames

As we explore our list of the worst boxing nicknames, a rather curious thought occurs. It seems that if any sport would avoid terrible and awful nicknames, it would be boxing. After all, wouldn't a boxer be the first athlete to knock your block off if you gave him a stupid nickname?

Just a thought.

With that, let's explore the five worst boxing nicknames of all-time, but first we will review some others.

Chuck Wepner hailed from Bayonne, New Jersey. One might have thought that the "Bayonne Bomber" or the "Bayonne Bruiser" or the "Bayonne Bull" would have been only natural. However, because of his propensity to suffer cuts, Chuck Wepner's boxing nickname was the "Bayonne Bleeder." For someone who once sent Muhammad Ali to the mat, that's not much respect. However, Sylvester Stallone patterned his "Rocky" character after Chuck Wepner.

Speaking of Ali, the self-proclaimed "Greatest" changed Sonny Liston's boxing nickname from simply the "Bear" to the "Big Ugly Bear," and managed to get away with it. Of course, "Sonny" also was a boxing nickname. Quick Quiz: What was Sonny Liston's real first name? (Answer at end of article.)

Tony Galento was named "Two Ton," which may seem to make sense, given that he was a heavyweight. However, he could have been a lightweight and been dubbed with the same boxing nickname. "Two Ton" Galento was so named because he once claimed he was late for a match because he had to deliver two tons of ice to neighborhood homes and businesses.

Alexis Arguello's boxing nickname was "El Flaco Explosivo," which in English would translate to "The Explosive Thin Man." Spanish is a wonderful language, but couldn't somebody do better than that?

Angel Manfreddy must not have been happy about being named "Angel" because he adopted the boxing nickname of "El Diablo," Spanish for The Devil. So, in English, he was Angel "The Devil" Manfreddy. He even used to wear a devil's mask when he entered the ring.

Johnny Bumphus was known as "Bump City." Sounds more like a race car driver.

Philadelphia's Perry Abney carried the boxing nickname of "Lil' Abner," which didn't exactly strike fear into the hearts of opponents. From the City of Brotherly Love, Johnny "Bang Bang" Alford and Marvin "Machine Gun" Garris no doubt were more intimidating. Then there was Eddie "The Clot" Aliano. ???

Poor Billy Arnold. His boxing nickname was "The New Joe Louis." Not! Talk about unreasonable expectations for a young fellow!

As for Joe Louis, race relations were different back in the 1930s and 1940s, but still, what was up with the "Brown Bomber?" Of course, Jim Jeffries back near the turn of the 20th century was the "Great White Hope" until he was pummeled by Ali's forerunner, Jack Johnson. But possibly worst of all were boxing nicknames given to Jewish fighters, such as Ron Aruit, the "Yid Kid," and Benny Victor, the "Hebrew Hurricane."

Countless boxers have been known as "Sugar," from Sugar Ray Robinson to Sugar Ray Leonard. And then, there was Tyric "Too Sweet" Robinson. Possibly even sweeter, Clarence "Honeychile" Johnson.

However, we promised the worst five boxing nicknames, and we will "deliver," especially with Number Five:

(5) Tony "The Punching Postman" Thornton. How's that for a fine how-do-you-do?

(4) Midget Wolgast, the "Latin Half-Pint." This wins a prize for the most insulting boxing nickname.

(3) Nikita "The Cheetah" Tarhocker. This boxing nickname rhymes so good that it's really bad.

(2) Acelino "PoPo" Frietas of Brazil can blame his mother, who gave him this nickname when he was a baby. Nobody said he had to tell anyone.

(1) But for the most terrible boxing nickname of all time, consider the Mexican champion Erik Morales. His nickname really was Terrible. As in Erik "Terrible" Morales.

(Quiz Answer: Charles Liston.)

SOURCES

http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz5324261b238.html

http://www.funtrivia.com/submitquiz.cfm?quiz=53242

http://www.funtrivia.com/submitquiz.cfm?quiz=293921

http://www.funtrivia.com/submitquiz.cfm?quiz=244327

http://www.funtrivia.com/submitquiz.cfm?quiz=145308

http://www.phillyboxinghistory.com/more/nicknames/nicknames_list.htm