Paul Banke at CA Hall of Fame

Former Champ and his amateur coach reunite

Years before former world titlist Paul Banke would descend into a dark cloud of drugs, failed marriages and a devastating life sentence of AIDS, he spent some of his brightest years training in the L.A. suburb of Azusa with a dedicated coach who was one of the very first to believe in him.

Southern California trainer Victor Valenzuela worked with the tough teenage southpaw at the Azusa Boxing Club when Paul was just 14. The pair trained together for over six years before parting ways right before Banke turned pro. But the WBC Super Bantamweight Champ (21-9, 11 KOs) never forgot his amateur coach and the two maintained contact throughout the decades.

Yesterday, the boxer got a chance to pay tribute to Valenzuela at the California Boxing Hall of Fame induction, where the trainer/manager was honored as one of the new 2010 members of the West Coast organization. Banke had been telling me for several weeks how much this meant to him, to see his longtime coach and friend get this well-deserved recognition from his peers in the sweet science.

The celebration was a reunion for Banke and Valenzuela and others in the SoCal boxing community as well. “I loved it! It felt so good to see everybody,” commented the veteran coach. “I was overwhelmed to see everyone, my family and all the ex-boxers in the room. I got to talk to people I haven’t seen in years!”

And Banke, now a father and grandfather at age 46, also mentioned to me that he had the chance to reconnect with many from his past. “I’ve known a lot of these people for a long, long time,” he said while looking around at the crowd. He then breaks into a grin, “I was Jerry Cheatham’s glove boy for four or five of his fights.” Cheatham was also a Class of 2010 inductee at Saturday’s luncheon.

Joining the standing-room only crowd of several hundreds at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City were more than 30 family members and friends of Valenzuela, along with Paul and his 20-year-old daughter, Paula Banke.

Catching up with the Banke and Valenzuela, there is mutual love and respect from the both of them.

“Paul’s a great guy,” remarked Victor of his one-time charge. He then tells me stories of how Paul couldn’t ever be held back in the ring, how he would charge right into every round always rarin’ to go.

“The referee would tell him, ‘Get back in your corner!’ and then as soon as the ref would turn away Paul would be following him!” Valenzuela remembers with a hearty laugh. “He couldn’t wait to get out there and fight! He threw a huge volume of punches and was really a hungry fighter.

“When the bell rang, he was so anxious to fight. He’d be there ready to run in. He just couldn’t wait!”

Years later, I can still see that anxiousness, spirit and exuberance in Paul Banke. While seated on the VIP dais with his daughter, Paul couldn’t contain his joy when his amateur trainer was called up on stage. He began cheering loudly for his coach as soon as they announced him and didn’t stop celebrating until long after Valenzuela’s acceptance speech. The shared history between these men has forged a lifelong bond.

“At age 12, I was training in Phoenix where I’d see Chuck Walker who went on to the ’76 Olympic Games,” the feisty brawler remembers. “I used to say, ‘That guy’s bad!’ He inspired me to continue to train.” He then moved back to L.A. where he hooked up with Valenzuela.

“I started training with Victor in Azusa when I was 14 years old,” says Paul, recalling the gym and his talented stablemates. “We worked together for six years; it was great. Victor also trained Zack Padilla. Zack would throw more punches than anyone I’ve seen! It was the ‘Zack Attack’!”

Upon turning pro, Valenzuela admits the trainer and the young fighter had a couple of disagreements which led to the two parting ways in the gym. But they remained friends and still stay in touch to this day. “We talk weekly,” Victor adds. “We have a very good relationship.”

And back when Paul Banke was just a youthful slugger, his coach saw his world-class talent shine through.

“He was incredible as a fighter. He was awesome at such a young age!” Victor stated. “I knew one day that he’d be a champion. I knew he’d be successful and I was right–he did become a world champion.”

Bravely battling AIDS now for over 15 years, Banke continues to beat the odds and moments like this one–celebrating his former trainer’s induction–is one he doesn’t take lightly. Depending on public transportation from his apartment in Hollywood, Paul doesn’t get to attend as many events as he’d like to. But this awards show was one he was not going to miss.

His daughter Paula drove in from the Inland Empire to accompany her dad to the Hall of Fame ceremony. Paula spent the afternoon meeting and mingling with the fighters, promoters, trainers and others in boxing circles gathered in the banquet room. And she kept a careful eye on her father, always a crowd favorite, who was surrounded by excited fans asking for an autograph or a photo of the popular boxer. I asked her if she watches any of her dad’s past fights.

“Yes, I’ve seen tapes of him; I’ve seen a lot of them,” the pretty college student and ASB President of her school cheerfully answers. “I’ve seen him get knocked down in a couple of them too…But he’s ALWAYS victorious to me!”

In regards to his health battles, Paul, whom I’ve known for a few years now, often asks me, “I think my speech is getting worse. Do you think it’s getting worse?” But before I can answer, he always offers his own assessment. “My speech is bad; it’s getting worse.” Already a veteran of wars a plenty, Banke continues to fight back against the deadly disease.

Paula, just as spirited as her father, says the ex-champ doesn’t let his AIDS diagnosis stop him from living his life. “My dad’s always positive with all that he has,” she observes. “So no, I don’t think he lets his health stop him. I think he’s doing well, and his dogs keep him happy!” Paul dotes on his two Cocker Spaniels, Rosemary and B.B. and stays busy working with amateur boxers.

Banke and Valenzuela were happy to meet each other’s daughters at the function. “My daughter finally got to meet him,” Victor said. “She could see this person who was so ‘mean’ in the ring. He was such a great fighter.” And after the awards were handed out, a large group of Victor’s family and friends got together for a group photo as the Bankes stood nearby, with Paul visibly proud of his trainer’s achievements.

When first notified by Don Fraser of this latest achievement, the humble trainer was taken by surprise. “My first initial thing was that I didn’t think I was worthy,” he tells me with a chuckle. “But everyone reminded me of the longevity and of the many years in boxing I’ve put in.”

He’s been working with youth boxing for over 25 years now. Said Valenzuela: “I have about 50 kids in the gym right now. I like to help the kids; it’s not for the money. If I did it for the money, I would’ve quit a long time ago. I hope I help kids to have a better life and to be responsible.”

Valenzuela himself had over 80 amateur fights. His father was a coach, and young Victor began boxing at the age of nine with his three brothers. And he is very proud of his own two kids, Eric and Nichole, who both have earned their college degrees. Valenzuela also has three grandchildren.

It was a festive family affair for the Valenzuelas. And while the celebration continued throughout the day, Victor mentions just one small regret–that his wife Martha didn’t get to hear his awards speech!

“She missed the whole thing!” he laughs. “She took my granddaughter to the restroom when I was called up for the award.

“And the #1 person I really wanted to thank was my wife! I have my full-time job, then from 4:00-7:30 I’m at the gym every night. She put up with this for over 30 years and I really appreciate her!”

So did she make it back in time to at least see or hear him at the end of his speech?

“No,” he says of the irony. “She didn’t get to hear any of it or see me on stage! She is the backbone of everything I do–and I wanted to give her a tribute.” He laughs again at the timing of his big moment. He says someone videotaped it so they will make sure Martha gets to hear all the praise and appreciation he gave to her.

Valenzuela, who’s been the head coach of USA National Champions and international teams, still trains both amateurs and pros and is currently the head coach of the Duarte Boxing Club, where he has over 50 kids in his stable. He is also trainer to professional fighters Rhonda Luna and Aris Ambriz (who just fought on June 18 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario).

Now the boxing coach and his former prized pupil have one more shared bond–as members of the California Boxing Hall of Fame. Banke, a 2008 inductee, witnessed Valenzuela’s brand new induction yesterday. And with this honor, the Southland trainer and fighter will always share a special place together in history.

Photos by Michele Chong/Steve Harpst