Sonny Banks
Lucien "Sonny" Banks (June 29, 1940 – May 13, 1965)[1] was an American boxer best known for being the first fighter to drop a young Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay). At the time Banks was a rising prospect and known for a fast sharp left hook.
Banks was from Lee County in northeast Mississippi, near Tupelo. He was born in the farming community Birmingham Ridge, about halfway between Tupelo and Saltillo. (Source: Rick Cleveland column)
Banks fought Clay in 1962 and knocked him down for a count, although he lost the match. Banks at the age of 24, died in 1965 from injuries sustained in a 9-round bout against Leotis Martin.
Professional boxing record
| 18 Wins (14 knockouts, 4 decisions), 7 Losses (5 knockouts, 2 decisions)[2] | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 18–7 |  Leotis Martin
|
KO | 9 | 1965-05-10 | Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
Banks died three days later from injuries sustained during the fight. |
| Loss | 18–6 | Cleveland Williams
|
KO | 6 | 1964-07-21 | Houston, Texas
|
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| Win | 18–5 | Don Warner
|
KO | 1 | 1964-05-18 | Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
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| Win | 17–5 | Lee Batts
|
KO | 2 | 1964-03-16 | Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
Batts knocked out at 1:08 of the second round. |
| Loss | 16–5 | Lee Batts
|
SD | 10 | 1963-11-29 | Battle Creek, Michigan
|
|
| Win | 16–4 | David E. Bailey
|
SD | 10 | 1963-10-18 | Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
|
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| Win | 15–4 | Jim Jones
|
UD | 8 | 1963-07-06 | Madison Square Garden, New York City
|
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| Win | 14–4 | Freddie Mack
|
SD | 10 | 1963-06-05 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
|
| Win | 13–4 | Leroy Roker
|
TKO | 6 | 1963-03-15 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
Referee stopped the bout at 0:40 of the sixth round. |
| Win | 12–4 | Lou Bailey
|
KO | 1 | 1963-02-09 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
|
| Win | 11–4 | Gene Jackson
|
KO | 3 | 1962-07-28 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
Jackson knocked out at 2:02 of the third round. |
| Loss | 10–4 | Young Jack Johnson
|
KO | 5 | 1962-05-26 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
|
| Loss | 10–3 | Cassius Clay
|
TKO | 4 | 1962-02-10 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
Referee stopped the bout at 0:26 of the fourth round. |
| Win | 10–2 | Clay Thomas
|
KO | 2 | 1962-01-27 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
|
| Win | 9–2 | Tunney Hunsaker
|
KO | 2 | 1961-10-16 | Detroit, Michigan
|
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| Win | 8–2 | Willie Coleman
|
TKO | 5 | 1961-08-07 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
Michigan Heavyweight Title. |
| Win | 7–2 | Joe Shelton
|
KO | 2 | 1961-06-06 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
|
| Win | 6–2 | Herman Wilson
|
KO | 1 | 1961-04-25 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
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| Loss | 5–2 | Chuck Garrett
|
PTS | 5 | 1961-02-06 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
|
|
| Loss | 5–1 | Joe Shelton
|
KO | 3 | 1960-10-11 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
|
|
| Win | 5–0 | Rufus Handsome
|
KO | 1 | 1960-09-23 | Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan
|
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| Win | 4–0 | Chico Gardner
|
KO | 4 | 1960-08-31 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
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| Win | 3–0 | Ted Davis
|
KO | 1 | 1960-08-18 | Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan
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| Win | 2–0 | Lloyd Washington
|
KO | 1 | 1960-07-12 |  Peace Bridge Arena, Fort Erie, Ontario
|
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| Win | 1–0 | Ernie Berthet, Jr.
|
PTS | 4 | 1960-05-19 | Detroit, Michigan
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References
- ^ Boxing record for Sonny Banks from BoxRec (registration required)
- ^ Boxing record for Sonny Banks. BoxRec.com.
- West Side Boxing News: "15 Round: The True Championship Distance"