What Are the Worst Actual Nicknames in Boxing History?

All sports icons are labeled with a nickname at some point in their careers, yet in boxing not only the icons, champions and best of the best are given nicknames, but every athlete that steps in the ring seems to be given their own moniker. Below are five of the worst nicknames from the world of boxing.

SWEET PEA

Boxer: Pernell Whitaker

Career Highlights:

1982 World Championships Lightweight Silver Medalist, 1983 Pan American Games Gold Medalist, a Gold Medal at the 1984 Olympics and World Championships in 4 different weight classes

Where the Nickname Missed the Mark:

The nickname, Sweet Pea was a mistake my a sports writer, seems to not be fitting at all since it makes an individual think beautiful, delicate vine growing flowers. Often referred to by his friends as Pete, Pernell Whitaker was cheered for in his hometown with the chant of Sweet Pete.

THE AMERICAN BOY

Boxer: Jason Litzau

Career Highlights:

Currently has a record of 26-2 with 21 knockouts, in his professional career and has been followed by numerous fans because of his appearances in HBO broadcast fights. He was also a Silver Gloves national champion and a member of the 2001 U.S. National team.

Where the Nickname Missed the Mark:

The main issue that faults the nickname The American Boy, is that it is very generic and includes no description of his fighting style, skill set, background or really any characteristics over than his nationality. The nickname, The American Boy just simply lacks creativity and uniqueness.

THE QUIET MAN

Boxer: John Ruiz

Career Highlights:

Two-time WBA World Heavyweight champion and had a professional record including 30 knockouts of 44-8-1-1

Where the Nickname Missed the Mark:

The Quiet Man, seems more like the nickname the FBI puts on a serial killer than that of a heavyweight boxer. The moniker of The Quiet Man also would seem more fitting for someone with less of an ability to win fights with a huge percentage of their wins being in the form of knockouts.

PAC-MAN

Boxer: Manny Pacquiao

Career Highlights:

Currrent Titles: WBOWorld welterweight champion, Ring Magazinelight welterweight champion

Former Titles: WBCWorld lightweight champion, WBC World super featherweight champion, IBFWorld super bantamweight champion, WBC World flyweight champion, Ring Magazinefeatherweight and super featherweight champion.

Other Claims to Fame: Only boxer to win lineal championship in 4 weight classes, 1^st to win 7 world titles in 7 different weight classes, and is a jack of all trades including politics, action, music and film

Where the Nickname Missed the Mark:

When it comes to nicknames it seems to be a slightly lazy attempt at a good nickname by simply taking a pop culture video game character such as Pac-Man and making that an athletes nickname simply because their last name starts with the same first syllable. Additionally, a boxer with abilities, a record and number of championships as Manny Pacquiaodeserves the best possible nickname and really lives up more to his other commonly used moniker of the Fighting Pride of the Philippines.

DR. EVIL

Boxer: Almazbek Raiymkulov

Career Highlights:

Represented Kyrgyzstan in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games as a Lightweight, and won his first 20 professional fights

Where the Nickname Missed the Mark:

Why Almazbek Raiymkulov decided to start to use Dr. Evil as his nickname in media engagement, no one really knows. The main reason that the nickname misses the mark is that Dr. Evil was a twiggy bald character with a hairless cat. Additionally, Almazbek stopped using Kid Diamond as his nicknamewhich seems pointless since diamond is part of the translation of his given name