The word "bum" likely has its roots in the German language, as "bummler" means a loafer.
So, in boxing, a "bum" would then describe a less-committed athlete.
Joe Louis in his heyday called all his opponents "bums of the month", as he was an easy favourite to win.
The term is also used to describe the lesser athlete in a mismatch situation, even if the lesser is a committed athlete at his level.
In any usage, unfortunately, "bum" is a very derogatory term. In my judgement, and I am sure in that of many others who write on this forum, any athlete who steps into the ring deserves respect.
Surely, such a term is best omitted from our boxing vocabulary.
I considered it someone that did not try or use his abilities to fight well.
Even though some who were not good or in fact poor boxers are called bums, I think that if they try and fight to their best abilities then they are not really bums.
A bum is someone that does not try to fight hard.
Usually anyone who the person using the term "bum" hasn't heard of or hasn't seen fight.
If you look through my year of answrrs, its not a term I use. Every professional boxers risks their health and life to earn a living and entertain us. The training, commitment and sacrifices of these fighters deserves more respect than that.
That being said, I think those who use that term are referring to fighters who lose to all good competition, one dimensional fighters
Somebody who isn't particularly good at boxing. A fighter who in most cases has absolutely no chance of being successful in the sport.
A " bum " is a person that can not exceed at the elite level. They typically will lose to every good opponent they face.
adrien broner
An extremely overused word in boxing. Whenever I use it , it's usually a derogatory word directed at boxers that fight like donkeys. What is a bum in boxing?
