Boxing Nicknames [2] Trivia Quiz

Answer: Geraldo Gonzalez

The Cuban born Gonzalez was born 26 January 1926, and passed at the age of 77 on 13 Febuary 2003, was given the name Gavilan in the United States. Gavilan means hawk, the "kid" came, because of his youth. He was also known as "The Cuban Hawk".

Answer: Jack Dempsey

Dempsey, born William Harrison Dempsey, was given that name because of his swarming style and his being born in Manassa Colorado in 1895. Dempsey who was boxing's first true superstar, held the world heavyweight championship from 1919 to 1926. Early in his career he was known as "Kid Blackie".

Answer: Henry Armstrong

Born Henry Melody Jackson on 12 December 1912 in Mississippi, Armstrong fought as an amateur in St Louis under the name Melody Jackson. He later moved to California and turned pro. After a few fights he met and took on the surname of a trainer and former boxer named Henry Armstrong. Armstrong is the only boxer ever to hold undisputed world championships in three different weight classes simutaneously.

He once incredibility sucessfully defended his welterweight championship five times in three weeks (Oct 9-30 1939). Armstrong passed away on 24 October 1988.

Answer: Willie Pep

Pep, who held the world featherweight championship from 1942 to 1948, was given that nickname because of his elusiveness in the ring. Willie, who is best known for his four fight series with Sandy Saddler, is the only fighter in boxing history ever, to win a round without throwing a single punch.

Answer: Thomas Hearns

Hearns, who fought from 1977-2000 (Also known as "The Hitman") was given that name early in his career because of the quickness in which he struck his opponents and his fighting out of Detroit, he took exception to being called "Hitman" at that time, saying it was offensive to the city of Detroit.

Hearns who is best known for his shootouts with Leonard and Hagler, was born in Memphis Tennessee on 18 October 1958. He is the first boxer credited for winning world championships in four different weight classes. Later he would welcome the "Hitman" label.

Answer: Aaron Davis

Davis, who held the (WBA) welterweight championship from July 1990 to January 1991, was given that nickname because of his physical strength and his ability to withstand punishment.

Answer: Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay)

Ali was given that name while he was still known as Cassius Clay because of his non-stop talking. While Joe Frazier took exception to Ali's boasting and name calling, most of his opponents found him to be quite humorous.

Answer: John Mugabi

Mugabi was given that name during his rise through the middleweight ranks during the early 1980s because of his brutal knockouts. Mugabi had a record of 28-0 with 28 knockouts, when he challenged Marvin Hagler for the world middleweight championship in March of 1986. He was stopped in the 11th round. He did briefly hold the (WBC)super welterweight title (July of 1989 to March of 1990).

Answer: Joe Frazier

Frazier, who emulated Henry Amstrong's swarming style was given that name (even though he was a slow starter) because of the amount of the pressure he applied on his opponents. Frazier, who held the heavyweight championship from 1970 to 1973 is best known for his trilogy with "The Louisville Lip".

Answer: Walker Smith Jr.

The New York (Harlem) raised Robinson, who many experts claim is the greatest fighter of all time, was born in Ailey, Georgia, on 3 May 1921, and named Walker Smith Jr. They moved to New York and Smith began boxing. While at an amateur boxing show in 1938, he couldn't box under his birth name.

In order for him to qualify, he was forced to use another boxer's certificate whose name happened to be Ray Robinson. The rest is history.