Ali gave them a name. Who are they?

[bzkfn]

The "Pussycat" was Jean-Pierre Coopman, a Belgian.
Coopman's promoters called him, "The Lion of Flanders" because the Belgian flag sports a lion.
Coopman was a big fan of Ali and would greet him at pressers in the European style, with a hug and a kiss to both cheeks. So Ali started calling him "Pussycat". Coopman was also a pussycat in the ring.

So I was right? C'mon, you didn't call me 'the man'. Why would I answer if not for props?