Johnny Hanks

Aged just five years' Johnny Hanks underwent tonsillectomy surgery twice within a space of few weeks, which not only were unsuccessful but ultimately left him with slurred speech and a heart murmur. There was a third tonsillectomy operation at a private surgery some few years' later after which the Doctor said to his parents "take the wee mite home and let him die in his own bed." Hanks survived and went on to become an amateur then pro boxer.

It was in 1948 when Hanks elder brother Aubrey coaxed Johnny to participate in skipping and light exercises at Auckland's Fire Brigade gymnasium he became interested in boxing. It was during this time he learned boxing skills from the legendary trainer Eugene Donovan who, some months' later, ascertained Hanks good enough to enter competition for novices.

Johnny went on to become the undisputed professional featherweight and lightweight champion of New Zealand, holding both belts concurrently.

After retiring as an active competitor Hanks then became assistant trainer to Ron Grimmer, who was Johnny's trainer when he competed professionally.

Hanks was offered a gym by the ABA of his own and became a fully licensed trainer in 1962. His very first season was instantly successful entering just four from his gym in the 1963 Auckland amateur championships who each won a title in their respective weight class, with one also winning the Most Scientific Boxer trophy and Hanks winning The Most Successful Trainer award. In 1964 Hanks' was the chief corner-man for the ABA when Mr Grimmer was not available.

Hanks published and edited New Zealand's first ever magazine devoted solely to the sport of boxing, June 1959 being the first, a publication of his until last issue of May 1962 at which point of time he sold the rights to another publisher.

Hanks became an official correspondent for Australia's The Small Glove News, England's Boxing News, USA's The Ring, Boxing Illustrated and Boxing World as well as for New Zealand and other overseas daily tabloids. He became a member of The International Boxing Writers Association in June 1982 and in September 1982 was made a member of the New Zealand Sporting Journalists Association.

In 1985 Hanks officially became a member of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association, initially in the capacity of a ringside judge and was to referee his first bout on 8 December 1986. He became the NZPBA's leading referee. Johnny also reported the 1990 Commonwealth Games (then held in Auckland city, NZ) for The Ring and UK's Boxing Monthly and Boxing News publications.

He regretfully resigned as the NZPBA's leading referee in the month of August 1992 after learning he had been diagnosed with leukemia. Eight years' later he suffered a severe life-threatening stroke.

In 2002 he joined the Lets Talk Boxing group on the internet and received an award from it for being "The Century Member" and compiled monthly world boxing ratings for the American site.

Hanks was named by The Bible of Boxing, USA's The Ring magazine, in their May 1954 issue as Prospect of the Month in the featherweight division. Johnny said, "As a competitor this was the biggest highlight of my career."

Hanks continues his involvement in boxing and still gets to be a guest at various tournaments and continues to write the occasional article(s) for New Zealand and overseas' publications. Johnny Hanks roles within the sport as boxer, second, trainer, judge, referee, reporter and promoter have him recognized by his peers, and within boxing circles worldwide as the most knowledgeable guy in the fight game and a true 'gentleman' of the sport.

• Boxing record for Johnny Hanks from BoxRec (registration required)