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Dictionary definition of “tomato can”

tomato can

n. an inferior boxer. Subjects: , , ,
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Citations: 1955 Jack Gregson New York Herald Tribune (New York City) (Nov. 6) “A Glossary of Fight Terms for TV Fans” p. 23 @ ADS-L (Dec. 10, 2001) Barry Popik “War on Poverty (1955); The Way It Is; Fight Terms”: “Tomato Can"—an inferior fighter. This reference is generally made by one manager describing another manager’s fighter. [1983 Globe and Mail (Toronto, Can.) (Feb. 11) “Boxer cannot find his size” p. P19: I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. I don’t want to end up looking like a tomato can when my career is over.] 1987 Jack Fiske San Francisco Chronicle (Aug. 5) “Now Everyone Wants to Take a Shot at Foreman” p. 61: Carlos DeLeon’s one-round KO of a tomato can, who quit after a hook to the body, on the Tyson-Tony Tucker card, was not conclusive enough to showcase him as future opponent for Tyson. 2004 Dave Hackenberg Toledo Blade (Ohio) (May 4) “Nondescript heavies make Tyson interesting”: McBride is, to be gracious, a journeyman. In boxing parlance he is a tomato can. He hasn’t fought anyone, to speak of, yet has kissed plenty of canvas.
Posted 17 May 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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