Photo: Sky Sports – Arturo Gatti
Since the early days of boxing, nicknames have been used to spark the imagination, intimidate opponents, and sell fights.
From what I gather, it was in the 1920s that journalists began crafting nicknames for boxers to create a mystique, a persona. The earliest example I found is “The Manassa Mauler” for Jack Dempsey — a fascinating nickname that makes you believe he’ll tear his opponent to pieces.
I’ve always loved nicknames, especially the ones that stand out. I have tons in mind, so I decided to share a few of my favorites in different categories in this article, which I had a blast writing.
In boxing, a nickname builds marketing around the fighter — it creates a storyline. For others, it’s a way to pay tribute to their roots. A great nickname can even replace the fighter’s real name — even Saul Alvarez’s own mother now calls him Canelo.
Photo: The Sporting News / FB – Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez
Legendary Nicknames
These nicknames transcend generations and become as iconic as the boxers themselves:
The Greatest (Muhammad Ali)
Iron Mike (Mike Tyson)
Sugar Ray (Robinson & Leonard)
Smokin’ Joe (Frazier)
The Brown Bomber (Joe Louis)
The Best Ever (Floyd Mayweather)
Intimidating Nicknames
Psychological warfare begins before the bell… and even before a single jab is thrown, these names strike fear into opponents. This is my favorite category. I’m still intimidated thinking about Bernard Hopkins walking to the ring dressed like a medieval executioner.
The Executioner (Bernard Hopkins)
The Assassin (Thomas Hearns)
El Terrible (Erik Morales)
The Problem (Adrien Broner)
The Nightmare (Chris Arreola)
Killer (Ray Mancini)
Photo: Sky Sports – Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins
Wild Animals
Used to evoke raw power, instinct, and primal danger.
The Cobra (Carl Froch & Jessica Camara)
The Mongoose (Archie Moore)
King Kong (Luis Ortiz) / King Cogne (Alex Gaumont)
El Chacal (Guillermo Rigondeaux & Carl Frampton)
The Bear (Nikolai Valuev)
The Grizzly (Simon Kean)
Photo: Guillermo ‘El Chacal’ Rigondeaux / X
Insects
Less imposing, but cunning, fast — and sometimes just downright annoying.
The Worm (Willie Monroe)
The Mosquito (Vito Antuofermo)
La Avispa / The Wasp (Alberto Puello & Dzmitry Asanau)
Killer Bee (Melvin Foster)
The Hornet (Jeff Horn)
Photo: Tapology – Alberto ‘La Avispa’ Puello
Dogs
Loyal, fierce, and occasionally unhinged — the canine energy brought to the ring.
The Pitbull (Isaac Cruz)
The Camden Bulldog (Dwight Muhammad Qawi)
The Raging Dog (Vincent Morin)
El Perro (Alfredo Angulo)
Mad Dog (Tony Ayala Jr)
Photo: FightHype – Alfredo ‘El Perro’ Angulo
Felines
Elegant, stealthy, and explosive — these fighters know exactly when to pounce.
The Tiger / El Tigre (David Lopez, also Sergiy Dzinziruk, also Jhon Orobio)
The Panther (Antonio Tarver)
The Lion (Arslanbek Makhmudov)
La Panthère (Souleymane Cissokho)
The Golden Jaguar (Jorge Paez Jr.)
The Wildcat (Johnny Tapia)
Photo: Mikey Williams / TR Boxing – Arslanbek ‘The Lion’ Makhmudov
Geographic Nicknames
The ring as an embassy — these names pay tribute to hometown pride.
The Bronx Bull (Jake LaMotta)
The Manassa Mauler (Jack Dempsey)
The Bayonne Bleeder (Chuck Wepner)
The Pride of Providence (Vinny Pazienza)
The Easton Assassin (Larry Holmes)
The Galveston Giant (Jack Johnson)
The Pittsburgh Kid (Paul Spadafora)
Photo: WTAE – Paul ‘Pittsburgh Kid’ Spadafora
Royalty
Imaginary crowns, massive egos, and global domination dreams.
King Ry (Ryan Garcia)
Prince Naseem (Naseem Hamed)
King of Four Rounders (Eric Esch)
The Emperor (Anthony Joshua)
The Gypsy King (Tyson Fury)
Photo: Ryan ‘King Ry’ Garcia / X
Weather Phenomena
When the fighter becomes a natural disaster — no one escapes without damage.
Thunder (Arturo Gatti… and Tavoris Cloud)
Hurricane (Rubin Carter)
The Tartan Tornado (Josh Taylor)
Desert Storm (Tim Bradley Jr.)
Earthquake (Al Carter)
Cyclone (Eugene Hart)
La Tornade (Osleys Iglesias)
Photo: Sky Sports – Tim ‘The Desert Storm’ Bradley Jr
The Worst Nicknames in Boxing History
Awkward, cringey, or just plain ridiculous… it’s like nobody said no.
Ding-A-Ling-Man (Darnell Wilson)
What The Heck (Owen Beck)
Twin Tyson (Cliff Couser)
The New Ray Robinson (Ray Robinson)
White Tyson (Ruslan Chagaev)
Goofi (Lance Whitaker)
The Hispanic Causing Panic (Juan Lazcano)
Photo: Sky Sports – ‘The New’ Ray Robinson
My Top 10 from Quebec
A hometown tribute — from steaks to storms, Quebec knows how to spark the imagination too.
Lucky Luke (Éric Lucas)
Ange du ring (Donato Paduano)
Ouragan (Eddie Melo)
Le Granit (Patrice L’Heureux)
Double Trouble (Sébastien Demers)
Le Steak (Gaétan Hart)
Le Bœuf de Chomedey (Robert Cléroux)
Cassius Clay miniature (Marshall Butler)
Bang Bang (Steven Butler)
Le Poète (Stéphane Ouellet)
La Tempête de Sable (Walid Smichet)
Photo: Vincent Ethier / EOTTM – Steven ‘Bang Bang’ Butler
Nicknames in boxing are more than just words: they’re promises, threats, winks, or war cries. They tell stories — of eras, of origins, of attitudes. They stick, sometimes for life, becoming inseparable from a legend. And while some fade into obscurity, others still echo like a well-placed uppercut. Because in boxing, like in life, it’s not just who you are that counts… it’s also what they call you.
