All boxers

Sonny Banks

Boxing · Deceased
18-7-0RECORD
14WINS BY KO / TKO
4WINS BY DECISION
25PRO FIGHTS

Profile

Full nameLucien Banks
NicknameNot added yet
Date of birth29 Jun 1940
Died13 May 1965
NationalityAmerican
BirthplaceBirmingham, Mississippi, US
Based inNot added yet
Weight classesHeavyweight
TrainersNot added yet
HeightNot added yet
ReachNot added yet
StanceOrthodox
Years active1960–1965
StatusDeceased
Pro debut19 May 1960
Last fightLoss vs Leotis Martin, 10 May 1965

Details on this page were compiled from public information on 11 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile

Background

Sonny Banks was an American heavyweight from Lee County, Mississippi, best known for knocking down Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) in 1962. He died in 1965 from head injuries sustained in a bout with Leotis Martin.

Fight history

25 professional fights. Newest first.

ResultOpponentMethodRoundTimeDateLocationNotes
LossLeotis MartinKO910 May 1965Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USDied three days later from injuries sustained in the fight
LossCleveland WilliamsKO621 Jul 1964Houston, Texas, US
WinDon WarnerKO118 May 1964Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
WinLee BattsKO21:0816 Mar 1964Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
LossLee BattsDecision (split)1029 Nov 1963Battle Creek, Michigan, US
WinDavid E. BaileyDecision (split)1018 Oct 1963Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinJim JonesDecision (unanimous)86 Jul 1963Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
WinFreddie MackDecision (split)105 Jun 1963Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinLeroy RokerTKO60:4015 Mar 1963Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinLou BaileyKO19 Feb 1963Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinGene JacksonKO32:0228 Jul 1962Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
LossYoung Jack JohnsonKO526 May 1962Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
LossCassius ClayTKO40:2610 Feb 1962Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
WinClay ThomasKO227 Jan 1962Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinTunney HunsakerKO216 Oct 1961Detroit, Michigan, US
WinWillie ColemanTKO57 Aug 1961Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, USMichigan heavyweight title
WinJoe SheltonKO26 Jun 1961Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinHerman WilsonKO125 Apr 1961Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
LossChuck GarrettDecision (points)56 Feb 1961Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, US
LossJoe SheltonKO311 Oct 1960Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinRufus HandsomeKO123 Sep 1960Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinChico GardnerKO431 Aug 1960Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
WinTed DavisKO118 Aug 1960Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan, US
WinLloyd WashingtonKO112 Jul 1960Peace Bridge Arena, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
WinErnie Berthet Jr.Decision (points)419 May 1960Detroit, Michigan, USPro debut

Record source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).