What are the best Boxing Nicknames?

In boxing, the participants often need more than their skills in the ring to appeal to the broader public. They need to have some degree of marketability, which gets people excited and interested in watching them fight. One way to begin is by attaching a catchy or appropriate nickname. Something that applies to the fighting style, something that sounds good as a ring announcer yells it out while introducing the fight participants.

Throughout its history, boxing has seen some good and not-so-good nicknames. We won’t dwell on the substandard one. Instead, here is a rundown of ten of the very best nicknames that boxers have used throughout history.

James “Lights Out” Toney

Despite the nickname, Toney was just as good at slipping punches and countering as he brought the leather to his in-ring foes. In saying that, the name brings just the right amount of menace mixed with humor and originality to be considered one of the best.

DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson

Heavyweight DaVarryl Williamson put 23 of his 27 victims to sleep during his 14-year ring campaign. Again, it is a nickname that mixes originality with some humor and threat.

Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather & Floyd “Money” Mayweather

Two for one here courtesy of Floyd Mayweather Jr. During the first act of his career, the “Pretty Boy” moniker worked well as Pretty Boy Floyd tied in with a 1930s bank robber who was popular in his day, as despite being a criminal, he often burned mortgage documents stored in the banks he robbed and freed many ordinary citizens of their financial obligations towards the bank.

“Pretty Boy” also suggested to opponents that he was too elusive to be hit, therefore remaining pretty and unmarked. For the second part of his ring campaign, Mayweather adopted a heel persona. This is where “Money” came in.

The “Money” character would flaunt his wealth at any opportunity, reminding everyone how much he earned from boxing. No one likes a rich person who boasts about their wealth.

It worked for Mayweather as his PPV earnings during this period were through the roof – many boxing fans bought his fights hoping to see him lose. Possibly the most appropriate nickname choice a boxer had ever made.

Ike “Bazooka” Quartey

Apparently, a bazooka is another name for a rocket launcher. It’s a great word, and Quartey, who is from Ghana and boxed at welterweight and light middleweight between 1988 and 2006, made a good choice in using it. 32KOs during his 42-fight career certainly suggests Quartey knew how to launch his rocket.

“The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya

Taking his moniker from his gold medal success at the 1992 Olympic Games, De La Hoya enjoyed plenty of professional success, winning world titles in six weight classes. The term Golden Boy will always be associated with De La Hoya. It is the name of the boxing promotion company he founded in 2002 and still owns today.

“Marvelous” Marvin Hagler

Marvin certainly was “Marvelous.” Hagler, the undisputed king of the middleweight division from 1980 until 1987, had a long, tough road to the top of boxing – having to wait until his 50th fight to box for the world title. Hagler often felt overlooked during his career. He also felt strongly that boxing media didn’t use his “Marvelous” moniker enough when referring to him – so much so that he legally changed his name to “Marvelous Marvin Hagler” in 1982.

“Manos De Piedra” Roberto Duran

The translation of Duran’s nickname is “Hands of Stone.” Certainly appropriate. Anyone facing Duran knew they would feel his full force at some point during the fight. Duran won world titles at four different weight classes, and 70% of his victories came by knockout.

Carl “The Jackal” Frampton

I’m not too sure why, but Jackal is a good nickname for a boxer. An animal proficient at scavenging possesses terrific endurance and normally hunts alone, which seems well suited to this sport. Belfast boxer Frampton won world titles in two weight classes during his career and is now a respected television pundit in the UK. The fact that his chosen nickname kind of rhymes with his first name is an added bonus.

Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire

Paying tribute to his heritage and letting opponents know they will be facing one of the quickest punchers ever to lace them up, Donaire covered all bases with his nickname. A world title winner in four weight classes, Donaire has not yet hung up his gloves. He is destined for the International Boxing Hall of Fame when he does. Donaire’s trademark left hook has wiped many fighters out over the years. If an opponent had to ask what that flash was, the chances were they had just been revived following the KO they suffered at the fast hands of Donaire.

Naoya “Monster” Inoue

The man from Kangama Prefecture, Japan, is appropriately named. Known for power punches from both hands and sickening body shots, Inoue has stopped 88% of his opponents. For me, his nickname is even better as it ties into the folklore of the Godzilla story – an unstoppable monster rising out of the Pacific Ocean and wiping out everything in its way. It just works for me.

Just To Mention A Few More

The truth is, there have been many smart and catchy nicknames in boxing over the years. Others went with something that summed up their style. Here are a few more that are deserving of a mention.

Mike “Bodysnatcher” McCallum

Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza

Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker

Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini

James “Bonecrusher” Smith

Barry “The Clones Cyclone” McGuigan

Erik “El Terrible” Morales

Colin Morrison

A boxing fan since his teenage years, Morrison began writing about the sport in July 2016. He appreciates all styles of boxing and has nothing but respect for those who get in the ring for our entertainment. Morrison is from Scotland and can be found on Twitter @Morrie1981.

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