 |
John Banks
(the "Darkey Wizard")
| BORN
|
December 25
1860; Richmond, Virginia
(Fought out of New York) |
| HEIGHT
|
5-6 (Some
sources report 5-5 1/2) |
| WEIGHT
|
128-160 lbs |
|
|
Banks was the
Negro Middleweight Champion of the World
during the mid 1880s; John made funny contortions with his mouth as he
fought; He also snorted, grunted, and yelled; But, he was very clever
and carried a good right hand punch
According to Nat Fleischer, he was an extremely active fighter who
fought in Philadelphia as many as five times per week on some occasions;
For several years, he averaged one fight per week; Fleischer contends
that he won more than 90 percent of his fights; Unfortunately, reports
for only a few have surfaced
During his career, Banks defeated such men as Jimmy Mitchell, Tom
Butler, John Williams, Bob Frazier, Jim Fell and Johnny Stuart
The old time fighter, Johnny Stuart, called Banks "his hardest
fight" |
1878
Billy Hunter Jersey City, NJ W 3
1880
Oct 12 Jimmy Mitchell TK 7
Undated
Tom Butler TK 4
John Williams Philadelphia, Pa TK 4
Jim Stewart Philadelphia, Pa W 3
Sheeny Joe TK 2
-Some sources report "W 2"
Bob Frazier W 8
Joe Butler New York, NY L 4
1882
Aug 31 Kentucky Rosebud Philadelphia, Pa ND 4
-This man was "Walter Edgerton"
1883
Mike Cleary's Black TK 4
-This man was "Jimmy Smith"
1885
"Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey New York, NY L
Jan 30 Jim Connors New York, NY W 4
Jan 30 Jim Fell New York, NY TK 2
-The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Mar 30 Jim Fell New York, NY D 3
May 22 Alf Spiers New York, NY W 8
Dec 20 Jim Smith New York, NY WF 20
1886
Feb 9 Jack Fallon D 5
Apr 30 Johnny Stuart New York, NY TK 7
Jun 26 Butler's Unknown Philadelphia, Pa TK 3
-This man was "John Roody"
Aug 3 Kentucky Rosebud Philadelphia, Pa ND 4
-This man was "Walter Edgerton"
Aug 19 Jack Lynch Philadelphia, Pa ND
Sep 11 Kentucky Rosebud Philadelphia, Pa ND 4
-This man was "Walter Edgerton"
1887
Jan 26 James Desverney New York, NY LT 9
-Black Middleweight Championship of the World;
Some sources report "LT 18"
1888
Feb 20 Ed Binney Boston, Ma D 13
-Three extra rounds were fought to determine
Binney as the winner
Jack Grace New York, NY LK 1
-This bout was held at a "private" club
1889
Mar 11 Harry Hart New York, NY ND
Mar 24 -Banks seconded George Wiseman vs Gallagher's Unknown
at Flushing, NY
Apr Tommy Riley LK 9
May -Banks renounced boxing and joined the Church
Aug 26 Joe Fowler Williamsburg, NY ND
Oct 4 Johnny Stuart Brooklyn, NY EX 6
Oct Johnny Keenan ND 3
1890
Mar 4 -Banks was scheduled to spar in Brooklyn, NY
May 5 Jack Gallagher Brooklyn, NY D
Aug 25 Joe Fowler Brooklyn, NY EX
Oct 27 Con Dugan EX
-Some sources report 11/27/90
1891
Feb 7 Billy Dacey Brooklyn, NY SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Nov 27 George Dixon New York, NY EX
1896
Feb 29 Paddy McGuiggan New York, NY ND 3
-Some sources report "Paddy McGinnis";
Mar 11 Paddy McGuiggan New York, NY EX 3
Mar 28 Paddy McGuiggan Brooklyn, NY SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Jul 20 Paddy McGuiggan New York, NY SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Aug 1 Paddy McGuiggan Brooklyn, NY SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Aug 31 Paddy McGuiggan New York, NY D
1897
May 6 -Banks was scheduled to spar in the 140-lb Competition at New York, NY
Jun 19 Paddy McGuiggan Brooklyn, NY SCH
-This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
1899
Aug 12 Jack Root Chicago, Il LK 1
Record courtesy of
Tracy Callis,
Historian, International Boxing Research Organization
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