His career was revamped by Steward, and he was propelled to stardom, held up as one of the greatest heavyweight champions ever. At the time, Klitschko was on a major winning streak. Banks continued Steward’s legacy as one of the best boxing trainers in the world as he took over as head trainer for heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Steward helped shape one of the most electric and exciting eras of boxing. Champions like Lennox Lewis, Thomas Hearns, and Evander Holyfield. The boxers who trained under Emanuel Steward went on to be legends. Though the famed trainer Steward no longer heads the ship, his memory is being cherished and honored as Johnathon Banks returns the famous gym to glory. The classic gold trunks with red writing still grace the squared circle, just as they did when Thomas Hearns boxed circles around opponents. Steward was always focused on the youth of Detroit and preparing them for life inside and outside of the ring. He has stayed true to Steward’s mission, to not only produce champions but also to give the kids on the streets of Detroit a place to learn and thrive. “You are talking about a gym, the name alone is a part of my upbringing going back to when I was an amateur fighter,” stated Banks, “As Wladimir said, all of the Kronk fighters that trained under Emanuel Steward are united in keeping that legacy going as he would.” And that is exactly what Banks has done.īanks guided Kronk through the loss of their fallen leader. When speaking with Bleacher Report, Banks talked about why the Kronk Gym is so important to him. He, along with heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, dedicated themselves to the preservation of the gym and their mentor’s legacy. Banks became the new figurehead of the legendary Kronk Gym in Detroit. So, Johnathon Banks stepped up to fill his mentor’s incredibly large shoes. There were reports of vandalism and theft in the gym. After Steward passed, the fate of Kronk was up in the air. Steward left behind Kronk Gym, one of the most famous boxing gyms in the world, and a gym that gave many kids on the streets of Detroit a fighting chance. When Steward died in 2012 at the age of 68, Banks proved his loyalty to the godfather of Detroit boxing. Following the Godfather of Boxing KRONK Sports He said I’m like a son and a best friend to him.” Banks went on to say that even after he moved out, Steward would call him late at night just to talk. “He just wanna talk, he don’t have many people he could openly talk to. “He’d knock on my door at 11.30 pm at night,” Banks said. In an interview with Boxing News, Banks discussed the late-night talks he and Steward would have. Banks lived with Steward for a time, and in that time, the pair built an extremely personal relationship. Not only did he learn from the legendary trainer, but he also grew very close to the man. All the while, Banks studied and learned from Emanuel Steward. He also challenged for the IBF cruiserweight title. Banks also won the IBO cruiserweight championship in 2007 after a decision victory over Vincenzo Rossitto. Over a 10-year career, Banks amassed a record of 29-3-1 with 19 knockouts. Steward also trained Johnathon Banks both as an armature and professional in a boxing career that saw Banks reach great heights. Steward imparted his wisdom to other greats like Julio Cesar Chavez, Miguel Cotto, and Oscar de la Hoya. Heavyweight champions Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko, credit Steward with getting the Ukrainian’s career back on track. Steward trained some of the greatest fighters to walk the Earth. The first great to take Banks under his wing was one of the most influential men in the boxing world, Emanuel Steward. Since he was young, Johnathon Banks found himself surrounded by boxing greats. Now carrying the legacy of his mentor, Banks is not only guiding elite boxers to championship belts but also the next generation to a better future. Banks has not only had a major impact on the boxing world but also on his hometown of Detroit as well. Running one of the most famous gyms in the world hasn’t hurt his legacy, either. He has trained legends of sports like Wladimir Klitschko and Gennady Golovkin. But in a short time, Johnathon Banks has become one of the premier boxing trainers in the world. At just 40 years old, most people wouldn’t think he’d be where he is. Johnathon Banks is young for a boxing trainer.
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