BOXERS WITH QUEER NAMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8120, 20 September 1904, Page 3

BOXERS WITH QUEER NAMES.

> — ; — : — SOME GEMS OF NOMENCLATURE IN THE RING. {New JTorJc Sun.) Of the large number of pugilists before the public, very iew fight under wieir real names. Like some actors, they believe tha-o an assumed cognomen is essential to success. It is enly alter a boxer has achieved any kind of fame that the sports become interested in the history of the man, and ascertain the fighter's correct name. Years ago a fighter was not so particular in concealing his name from the publio. H IS »ama was a source of pride to him, and he fought to show that ho was a chip -of ihe old biock. Ihe real name oi some of the foremost fighters' in the business at present wouid look sttange on a piogramme. There are at least a dozen Jack O'iiriens who have donned the mitts during the past deoado. Of this number only one nas attained any prominence, with the -exception of Jack O'Brien, \a local light-weight, who was reliHy born with tho vzjne he battled under. I'he other Jack O'Brien is a middle-weight, and kails from Philadelphia. Ho was christened Joseph Hagan. The majority of the other Jack O'Briens whom the public has heard of are either Italians or JewsTommy Byan was known as a boy in fayracuse, where he first saw the light, as Joseprt Young. Kid M'Coy's name is Norman Selby He took the name oi M'Coy when he first started out as a fighter in Indianapolis years ago. Very few of the Hebrew boxers in the ring today fight under their real names, barring, ol course, Joe Choynski and Joe Bernstein. Like the Italian pugilists, they iall back on Irish ' cognomens when -they take up the profession. For instance, tliere is Benny Yanger, the " Tipton Slasher " ; Joe Grim, Kid Gnffo, of this city, Joe Wagner, Jjad Murphy, Kid Thomas, Johnny Shields, Casper Leon, Benny Leon, Kid Morto, " Chic" Tucker and Charlie Sieger, of New Jersey. Oui of this lot, tiio Leons are the only ones who fight under their truo titles, , , Many of the -aspiring sewppers who have lately entered the arena in search of fame and fortune hade adopted the names of prominent pugilists. The nick-name of Kid seem? to be the most pooular appellation- Aa soon as gome bruiser becomes a noted champion, these budding knights of the wit. assume the «ua ; ceseful boxer's cognomen,. $nd retain tno same. . . . In looking over the list of those *spiriPg millers, one finds such names; as Kid JeffrieKid Fitzsimmons, Young Coroett, Young _M<l ! Lavioga, Young Choynski, Young; Kid Gnflo, I Young J»ck Mwnroe, Young Dixon, Young Britt, Kid Hanlon, Kid M'Coy Jun., Young Erna, etc., etc. Some go as far as to adopt names that would made Charles Dickens or Thackeray turn green with ertvy. As examples, there -are Kid Snotty, an aspiring East Sid«r, who w willing to exchange knocks with, the best Oi 'em, at 65 pounds; (Tig Stone, of Cambridge; Billy Dinkle, Bull .dowser, Kid Coffey Kid Bust, of Buffalo; Hop Cropton, of New York; Kid Miller, the "Jew," an aspirant for "Ghetto" honours; " Winey ". Cohen, of Harlem; "Nufty" Swipes, of Essex Street, and others. These lads are really in earnest as far a-s fighting is concerned, and accept all challenges hurled at them. Of course, the?e boxers find their names ft he*vy burden m later years if the fates are unkind, and -after making a change, begin *U ever ggain under another on*?, »».•„. tt Young Qorbett, who answers to WM"*m n. Eothwellin the realm of his own social circles, says that fomil* pride p^ade him chango bis name- Strange -io pay.' John L, SuMivan.s name has only just been appropriated by a boxer fron. Massachusetts. He is a feather* weight, and thus far has done very well-. Tofci Sharkey has hod -a number <>f youthful admirers who h*ve assumed his name for professional purposes, but not ope of them hae \ amounted to anything thus far. Gue Buhjin has had no imitators, but Bob Fitzsimmons ha* beeU burdened to tlje extent that en mat j Side pugilist, weighing about 118 ponnds, re- | cently appeared at a local club bearing Bob's title. After much moral mwipn, he ceajfess ed to being Greek, and eaid that the reason why he did not bos under his correct name was beoause he thought th*t the reporters would find it too difficult to spell. The Cornishman s well-wisher, however, had missed his avocation, for. he was punched isfo submission in a few rounds. It is aaid that he has returned to hia Grecian appellation once more. _a 'England one comes across some of the queerest names among -Uie fighting fraternity. The bantam champion, >9 on instance, is Jem ; fcpwkey. Then comes Digger Stanley, Yaller , Tnklev. Brummey Meadows. Harpy Tolfree, Tim Jakes. Tussy Winters. Tom Cronk, Dmer Tnl'lelt. Pi-o-os Pippeky. Punchey Downes B.U Whipps. Bob Getrone, Jumbo Pitlase and Job Jobber. Their names get into print often, as they are always ready to cross *nn». j