5 Legendary boxers who changed their names for professional or religious reasons

Kid Chocolate
Kid Chocolate

#2. James Joseph Tunney to Gene Tunney

Gene Tunney
Gene Tunney

James was an American boxer, born in Ireland. He fought in the light heavyweight and heavyweight division, and won the world title four times, from 1922 to 1928. Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey, Georges Carpentier, and Harry Greb.

James changed his name to Gene Tunney very early in life, and they nicknamed him “The Fighting Marine.”

#3. William Harrison Dempsey to Jack Dempsey

Portrait Dempsey
Portrait Dempsey

William was born in Colorado and became the world heavyweight champion in 1919. He remained unbeaten for the next 7 years. William had tremendous punching ability, and they consider him as one of the best boxers of all time.

He fought as Jack Dempsey and was one of the sporting icons of the 1920s. Besides boxing, his main contribution was being a soldier in the World War II. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954.

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