Ever Since The Early 70's
Ever since the early 70's after the release of the film "The Hustler", in every town, city or hamlet in America, just about anyone and everyone that's known to have used the handle "Fast" with their nickname handle (presuming of course if that person were still alive they'd have to be in their 70's today to be chronologically accurate and consistent with the original film's genoire) has either personally claimed to be or is supposedly alleged to be, the actual person the fictional film character, "Fast Eddie Felson" was based upon.
Think about it....it's so easy for some. nay any, local hustler to have claimed this when in truth, if ever there was such a character, he would have probably played in the pool halls of Philly, Chicago, Newark, Manhattan or Brooklyn where there were larger than life pool figures and legends like Willie Mosconi actually playing et al. I frequently played at Ames growing up in the 60's & 70's back in NYC. Now if ever there was an actual, genuine pool hall location ideally suited for a character like Minnesota fats, Ames Billiards was the place.