Anniversary: Same Date, Venue & Sanctioning Body

This Saturday (April 23) Gennady Golvokin (34-0, 31 KOs) defends his WBA, IBF and IBO titles against Dominic Wade (18-0, 12 KOs) at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
The two will also by vying for the interim World Boxing Council (WBC) World Middleweight championship belt in this matchup airing live on HBO. This “Undefeated” card is promoted by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions in association with TGB Promotions.

Former pro fighter and ex-champ Paul Banke (21-9, 11 KOs) will be watching intently although his vantage point of the match will no doubt conjure up memories of his own time in the spotlight…on the very SAME date (April 23), the SAME venue (the Forum) along with the SAME sanctioning body (WBC, first with Jose Sulaiman and now with Mauricio Sulaiman). Paul is hoping to be there in person to relive his moment in time while cheering on popular slugger Golovkin. A true “Triple-Threat” connection with GGG.

You see, back on April 23, 1990, SoCal pug Paul Banke battled Mexico hero Daniel Zaragoza in a rematch at the Great Western Forum (what it was called then) in the City of Inglewood. The two gladiators fought for the WBC World Super Bantamweight championship. Banke beat his nemesis by a TKO, thus winning the coveted gold and green strap. The men would fight in a fan-friendly trilogy with all three matches taking place at the Forum. Zaragoza (whom Banke counts as one of his toughest rivals) won the first and third clashes but April 23 will always have a place in the heart and memory of Banke. That was the day he won the the title–and his place in the history books.

As this auspicious date nears, I caught up with Paul to hear his thoughts about this Saturday’s match, the 26th anniversary of his own WBC win at the Forum, and how the warrior–and survivor–continues to live his life while battling HIV and AIDS (first diagnosed in 1995).

In our exclusive chat, Banke doesn’t shy away from telling it like it is. I’ve known the prizefighter for several years now. He is upbeat, full of energy, thoughtful and sensitive. He laughs often, dotes on his three dogs, and enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Angel, his mom, his three kids, three grandkids, friends and family. And his boxing family is still there for him. Paul frequents area gyms and occasionally works out with amateur fighters too. Everyone likes Paul Banke. A large BBQ was held for his birthday last month and was well attended by those in and out of the sport.

On the flip side though, every so often I can detect the pain of regret in his voice. I can sense a shift leaning toward a more melancholy mood. And I listen as he recounts the challenges and obstacles he faces living his daily life with this tragic disease. It’s understandable. He speaks of his insomnia but has boundless energy and enthusiasm whenever I talk to him. But not sugar-coating anything, there are occasional times when I hear the ravages of boxing come through in his diction but sadly, that’s a frequent condition in veterans. More often than not, Banke is optimistic and happy-go-lucky as one can be living with his illness. And one thing he’s not is bitter. Paul remains a champ, remains passionate about boxing and remains optimistic and grateful that he is still alive.

It’s hard to believe that the former champ has been living with AIDS for over 21 years now. Back then it seemed like a “death sentence” and the Pasadena fighter recalls his initial shock and fear upon hearing his diagnosis. “It was 21 years ago, things were different then. I thought I was on ‘Death Row,'” Banke tells me. “But since then, there’s treatment, there’s new meds. And I’m living with HIV and doing good.”

The 52-year-old acknowledges his drug use back then and is proud to say that he is now clean and sober. “I was a knucklehead doing drugs,” he admits. “But now I’m in a healthy relationship and I am sober!”

For those who wonder how someone with AIDS can have an intimate relationship, his girlfriend Angel explains: “We are careful and cautious; we know the parameters. But we are proof that relationships can be built.”

Angel and Paul first met decades ago and reconnected a year and a half ago. She is a kindergarten teacher in Fontana and Paul says she’s been a great influence on him, believing in him, encouraging him and providing a healthy companionship, something he lacked for a long time.

She saw him fight in person when he was beginning his career as a prizefighter. “I saw him box many years ago,” Angel recalls, “and I knew he’d be a champ.”

Turning pro in 1985, the boxer fought many times locally (at the Forum and the Olympic Auditorium) and won a USA California State title before winning his WBC belt. He retired in 1993 (before he was a diagnosed with HIV).

Angel wants the world to know that Paul’s diagnosis back in 1995 does not take away from who he is today. “AIDS does not define him,” she attests. “It doesn’t define who he is…He IS a world champion!”

Outside the ring, Banke would love to be more involved in boxing; his brother Steve Banke is also a former boxer and current trainer (Hands of Stone Boxing Club). Paul says he sometimes helps out too, training young sluggers at various Southland gyms like Bernie Valenzuela’s Crossroads Boxing Club, Victor Valenzuela and Louie Valenzuela’s Duarte Boxing Club, Ronnie Essett’s The Boxing District, and more.

The former WBC champ is also a frequent visitor at Freddie Roach’s famed Wild Card Boxing Club and he also goes to Vegas for the big fights. His ties to boxing are still strong. I see him at various fight events like the recent “Battle of the Badges” charity bash in which Paul was a guest VIP judge and he will be also attending the April 30 National Boxing Hall of Fame banquet.

“I love giving back to the community and to the kids,” he says. “I would like to do more of that in the future.”

And looking ahead to the future is the key for Paul Banke. While it would be easy to live in the past, wistful and remorseful of what was lost or squandered, the former world champ holds his gaze at present times and of living the healthiest life he can. Banke has told me about his rocky road of drug abuse and being practically homeless in Las Vegas. But he bounced back and is still a true warrior. AIDS may be his toughest foe but he is not down for the count.

It has been 21 years of living with AIDS, the low point of his life. And it has been been 26 years since he reached the highest point in his life, the pinnacle of success–his TKO victory against nemesis Daniel Zaragoza. Paul says whenever he sees Daniel now, the two are friendly. But on April 23 at the Forum, that WBC belt was at stake and the two men went to war.

Now the focus is on THIS Saturday, April 23 at the legendary Forum at Manchester & Prairie (where the Los Angeles Lakers used to hold court). Once again, fight fans will flock to Inglewood, once again the main event will be for that gleaming WBC world championship belt.

On paper, it appears that Banke and Golovkin have nothing in common (other than the fact they are boxers). Kazakhstan’s GGG is unbeaten at age 34, married and, by all accounts, stays clear from any distractions when not in the gym.

But Paul’s coincidence (his triple connection with the hard-hitting GGG) isn’t lost on the veteran athlete. He knows what it’s like to be in the spotlight at the Forum, trading leather for a world title. He lived it; he knows what the rising superstar GGG is feeling. Last week, Banke even went up to The Summit Gym in Big Bear to visit trainer Abel Sanchez and his prized pupil Gennady Golovkin. The men raised their fists for a photo, a picture linking the champs together in time.

“I’m a big fan of Triple G,” Banke mentions when I chatted with him today.

“Gennady is so humble, he’s a great guy,” Paul adds. “He deserves all the fame and all the limelight.”

The ex-fighter knows what being a champ in the limelight is like. Now Paul Banke will relive his past memories and glory as he hopes to witness the odds-on favorite Gennady Golovkin win another world title this Saturday night.

April 23 at the Forum for a WBC belt.

HISTORY WILL BE MADE ONCE AGAIN.

Golovkin-Wade Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com

Photos courtesy of Michele Chong and Paul Banke