Giving nicknames to fighters in Boxing is very common. Nicknames are usually based on a Boxer’s personality and character. Sometimes boxers even surpass themselves, appearing as superstars who only need a nickname to be recognized. In fact, some fans only know them by their nicknames. In this article, we will tell you about some of the most iconic and best nicknames given to boxers.
10. Butterbean
Eric Esch is a name not many of you will recognize, but if you have been a boxing fan since the 90s, you must know who we are talking about. “Butterbean” was not only a professional boxer but also a MMA fighter and wrestler. The 378 pound boxer got this legendary nickname during a time when he was forced to go on a diet that generally consisted of chicken and butterbeans. He was an incredible boxer during his time and recorded 77 wins with just 10 losses.
9. PACMAN
Usually, when people hear the name “Pacman,” they are reminded of the famous 90’s game. But other times, Boxing fans will instinctively remember the Philippines boxer Manny Pacquiao. It would have been interesting to have some vague connection between the eight-division world champion and the game icon, but actually the nickname has other roots. The first three letters from his last name and the first three letters from his first name gave him the nickname “Pacman.”
8. The Gypsy King
One of the greatest Boxers of this era, Tyson Fury, is also known as the “Gypsy King.” He has always been outspoken about his Irish traveler heritage. In an interview, Fury proudly said, “I’m a gypsy and I will always be a gypsy, I’ll never change. His wife, also a traveler, has a distant heritage to Uriah Burton and Bartley Gorman, who were gypsy bare-knuckle boxers and are referred to as the “King of the Gypsies.” This also contributes to Tyson’s nickname.
7. The Golden Boy
Oscar De La Hoya debuted as a boxer in 1992 and remained undefeated until 1999. He lost his first match on September 18, 1999, to Felix Trinidad. His overall record is 39-6. Oscar has 30 of his wins via knockout. When De La Hoya came home from the 1992 Summer Olympics with a gold medal in the lightweight division, that’s when he got the nickname “The Golden Boy.”
6. Macho
Hector Camacho was someone who always needed attention, no matter what he was doing. Whenever he was in the ring, using his footwork or performing ring walks for the show, people always saw his million dollar smile. The story behind his nickname is still disputed today. Hector’s father believed that he had given it to Hector because he was the eldest son. While his high school teacher thought he was the one who came up with it, And Camacho once himself said that it came from a workplace where they couldn’t pronounce his last name. It doesn’t matter where it came from because he was always in a Macho mood and it perfectly suited him.
5. Money
Floyd Mayweather was earlier known as “Pretty Boy,” but the nickname “Money” wasn’t even introduced when he was still fighting in the ring. Floyd got the nickname when he got into the rap game. He once stated that this nickname “Money” came from when he was joking and throwing money at the camera and it stuck with him. Mayweather was active in the ring from 1996 to 2017 and retired with an undefeated record of 50 wins.
4. Iron Mike
Mike Tyson was known as the baddest man on the planet. It was his vicious stare across the ring that gave him the nickname “Iron Mike.” While many people may assume that it came from his stocky and small physique or the 22 first-round knockouts he accumulated, Tyson once said on a show that “somebody’s started calling me Iron Mike. An old friend of mine, Carlos Santos. So now everyone calls me “Iron Mike.”
3. BoneCrusher
James Smith was an incredible fighter in the heavyweight division during the 1980s. He had wins over boxers like Witherspoon, Frank Bruno and Jesse Ferguson. He won the IBF Heavyweight championship by knocking out Tim Witherspoon in the very first round in 1986. James briefly held a share of the title before losing it to Tyson. He used to rush to his opponent and break their ribs or jaws; that was the reason Smith was given the nickname “BoneCrusher.”
2. The Atomic Bull
Oliver McCall shocked the whole boxing world when he knocked out then-undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in 1994. He defended his title once before losing it to Frank Bruno. In 1997, Oliver once again clashed with Lennox and lost the controversial rematch. “The Atomic Bull” will always be remembered as the defining moment of his career, as will the other one which was one of the most bizarre incidents in boxing history. The story behind his nickname is that when Oliver knocked out an opponent, he was so disoriented that he started seeing six heads.
1. The Greatest
“The Greatest” Muhammad Ali was definitely the greatest boxer ever to step in the ring. He was more than a boxing icon. The Boxing legend was the world champion for three years during the late 1960s. Ali has competed in some of the most epic bouts in the history of the Heavyweight division and boxing. His iconic three-fight series with Joe Frazier is still one of the most famous rivalries of all time. “The Greatest” had an incredible boxing career and he was active in the sport from 1960 to 1981.
Also Read: From Pee-Wee to Felony Worst nicknames in MMA history
