Know your Viper from your Turtle, top 10 reptilian boxing nicknames
- CARL FROCH (THE COBRA)
Thomas Hearns is more “Hitman” than “Motor City Cobra.” Cases can be made for Kubrat Pulev and Alfred Kotey, among others, but the fighter who is most synonymous with the popular “Cobra” nickname has to be ex-super-middleweight star Froch. - VERNON FORREST (THE VIPER)
Some UK fight fans may link the “Viper” moniker with Bobby Vanzie, who held the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles. However, the decorated Forrest is the man who is best known for sporting this sobriquet. - ROGER MAYWEATHER (BLACK MAMBA)
The outspoken uncle of former pound-for-pound supremo Floyd Mayweather, Roger passed away 12 months ago, but not before making his mark as a world title-winning super-featherweight and super-lightweight. - JAKE RODRIGUEZ (THE SNAKE)
Rodriguez reigned as the IBF super-lightweight king, before losing his crown to Kostya Tszyu – no shame in that. (A shout-out to Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora in this category, too.) - CRAIG BODZIANOWSKI (GATOR)
Six years after having his leg amputated following a motorcycle accident, the inspirational Bodzianowski incredibly challenged for the WBA cruiserweight belt, boxing on an artificial limb. - ANYETEI LARYEA (THE CHAMELEON)
After coming out second best when attempting to secure Commonwealth featherweight honours, Laryea had better luck at super-bantamweight, where he captured the Commonwealth title. - RADZHAB BUTAEV (THE PYTHON)
Formerly a respected amateur, Butaev lost to Alexander Besputin when contesting a WBA secondary welterweight strap. However, this result was changed to a No Contest when Besputin failed two drug tests. - VAUGHN HOOKS (TURTLE)
Fighting exclusively on the East Coast of America, Hooks won the Pennsylvania State light-heavyweight championship. He also claimed the USBA title, but had this taken away from him when he tested positive for banned substances. - BUKIWE NONINA (ANACONDA)
A previous South African champion, bantamweight Nonina currently finds herself in the mix at world level, where she hopes to receive a title shot in the not-too-distant future. - LEWIS CROCKER (THE CROC)
Rising welterweight Crocker goes in search of his 13th straight victory when he takes on Deniz Ilbay this Friday (March 12).
