Paul Andre Banke was born on March 1st, 1964 in Quail Valley, California. He started fighting at the age of 12 and soon established himself as one of the best amateur fighters in Southern California and a star on the rise. By his mid teenage years he had already traveled and fought all over the world on international boxing teams and had even fought on television. After a very successful amateur career, Banke turned pro in 1985 at the ripe age of 21. He became a Great Western Forum and Jerry Buss favorite, winning many fights at this venue, then working his way to a WBC title shot against Daniel Zaragoza. On June 22nd, 1989 in perhaps the most memorable and fiercest Great Western Forum fight ever, Banke knocked Zaragoza down in the ninth, but lost a split-decision when Zaragoza surged back at him during the last three rounds. Banke lost the fight but his determination and hunger grew bigger. In a rematch 10 months later, Banke and Zaragoza battered each other for 8 rounds at the same location of their epic first battle, the Forum. Banke trapped the taller Zaragoza early in the ninth, put him down once, then knocked him out and captured the WBC Super Bantamweight title. Banke would go on to successfully defend his title and made his way into the history of boxing.
