Johnny Hanks pugile

Johnny Hanks (6 December 1934 – 3 March 2013) was a professional boxer who on 14 June 1954 became the New Zealand featherweight champion, and on 16 May 1955 the New Zealand lightweight champion. Trained by Ron Grimmer who also trained Manny Santos and Toro George. Hanks was considered one of the most powerful super featherweight punchers in New Zealand.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.