What's in a name?

Maybe it’s just me, but I think that there’s something in a name. There’s a reason that Walker Smith changed his name to Sugar Ray Robinson. Arnold Creamer probably had some great things in mind when he changed his name to Jersey Joe Walcott. On occasion, the boxing figure is bigger than the name itself. Nobody’s getting excited over a name like “Jack Johnson’” unless of course….. (smile), same thing with Joe Louis. The “Brown Bomber” title helped out, however you could’ve named “Joe Louis” and name like “Joe Smith” and he’s still an icon. I can get excited over a name like “Sandy Saddler.” Charley Burley??? Great as he was, his name sounds like a steel worker. Admirable job, but they don’t make millions by publicizing their names. I’m just making a light observation that boxing is show business. The historians may be guilty of ignoring many ATG,s, but sometimes it takes more than a great fighter to create a great legacy in the minds of the people. Remember, reality is a slave to perception. So what's in a name? Maybe millions of dollars and a infinitely great legacy recorded by the "HOF." Other thoughts on this are welcome.

So THAT's why the Kilstckos, err, Clitchckos, err, I mean Kleetchows . . . or whoever those Ukrainian/Russian/German guys are... aren't more popular

"Ivan Drago"... now, that's a name that people can get excited about!

Smith changed his name so he could fight as a regustered amateur when he wasn't one. Ray Robinson was a guy who's AAU card George Gainford happened to have that night when he needed a substitute. The sub? Walker Smith Jr.

Arnold Cream 's name chage was a homage to his Dad who worshipped the Barbados Demon.

Joe Louis was actually Joe Louis Barrow. No idea on that one.

Rocky Marciano was Rocco Marchegiano

Henry Melody Jackson isn't NEARLY as good as Henry Armstrong.

Nice post!

Joe Louis ran out of room while writing his signature because his handwriting was so bad. He got as far as "Joe Louis" and reached the end of the paper. The guy said "That's close enough" and history was made.

I say bring back the "Battling."

Battling Marquez vs. King Katsidis

flapanther2001 wrote:

Joe Louis ran out of room while writing his signature because his handwriting was so bad. He got as far as "Joe Louis" and reached the end of the paper. The guy said "That's close enough" and history was made.

Is that RIGHT? WOW!

marbleheadmaui wrote:

flapanther2001 wrote:

Joe Louis ran out of room while writing his signature because his handwriting was so bad. He got as far as "Joe Louis" and reached the end of the paper. The guy said "That's close enough" and history was made.

Is that RIGHT? WOW!

Yeah Marble...confirmed by his son. Joe's signature was more of a scrawl considering his lack of formal education (I know, shocking for a boxer, right?)

Floyd Mayweather is a great fighters name. I know he's not the favorite guy right now but his name is great. It's a throwback name. How many 33 year olds are named Floyd??

I always liked Marco Antonio Barrera too.

Nigel Benn as well.

They all just sound like boxers names.

Most Latino names are naturally badass.

Worst fighters' names are the ones that can also be women's names.

Kelly Pavlik

Vivian Harris

hardcoreBEE24 wrote:

Floyd Mayweather is a great fighters name. I know he's not the favorite guy right now but his name is great. It's a throwback name. How many 33 year olds are named Floyd??

I always liked Marco Antonio Barrera too.

Nigel Benn as well.

They all just sound like boxers names.

I guess Mayweather sounds better than Sinclair...

flapanther2001 wrote:

hardcoreBEE24 wrote:

Floyd Mayweather is a great fighters name. I know he's not the favorite guy right now but his name is great. It's a throwback name. How many 33 year olds are named Floyd??

I always liked Marco Antonio Barrera too.

Nigel Benn as well.

They all just sound like boxers names.

I guess Mayweather sounds better than Sinclair...

Imagine Floyd Joy Sinclair beating the breaks off of you?? Insult to injury.

hardcoreBEE24 wrote:

flapanther2001 wrote:

hardcoreBEE24 wrote:

Floyd Mayweather is a great fighters name. I know he's not the favorite guy right now but his name is great. It's a throwback name. How many 33 year olds are named Floyd??

I always liked Marco Antonio Barrera too.

Nigel Benn as well.

They all just sound like boxers names.

I guess Mayweather sounds better than Sinclair...

Imagine Floyd Joy Sinclair beating the breaks off of you?? Insult to injury.

Now that's funny....