Thug is the new Nigg**!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. And wiki is not giving you the class undertones

but it is understood to be part of class..

It is also related to gang activities these days. From websters

hooligan
noun hoo·li·gan \ˈhü-li-gən\
: a usually young man who does noisy and violent things as part of a group or gang

And from Cambridge

hooligan
noun [C] UK US /ˈhuː.lɪ.ɡən/
› a violent person who fights or causes damage in public places:
Hooligans had sprayed paint all over the car.
hooliganism
noun UK US /-ɪ.zəm/
›
football/soccer hooliganism

It is tied to soccer, and in soccer games hooligan gangs are well known to be working class

Although football hooliganism only rose to widespread public attention in the 1960s, it had been with the sport since its earliest development. In the late 19th Century, concerns were frequently voiced about groups of "roughs" causing trouble at matches by attacking not only opposing supporters, but also players and referees. Many sociologists point to football's origins in working class Britain as a factor distinguishing it from the majority of sports popular today, and contributing to its links with aggressive and disorderly behaviour.

http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/football-hooliganism

The problem is not limited to the UK, but it has clear roots, and in the UK clear meaning. Of course importing the term to the US and using it against gang members who are rioting, or sport fans would be proximately correct, but. We all need to be aware of origins.