Billy Cyclone Warren

athlete

Billy 'Cyclone' Warren was an American-born professional boxer who became a beloved fixture on O’Connell Street in Dublin, where he stood for 40 years advertising Nugget boot polish. His boxing career spanned the early 20th century, during a time when he participated in brutal matches known as 'battle royals' and sparred with legendary figures like Jack Johnson. Following a friendship with Irish boxer Mike Farrell, Warren settled in Ireland, where he may have played a role in the country’s revolutionary movement. Despite the scant historical record, Warren is remembered fondly by Dubliners, who regarded him as an iconic character of the city.