'You Gotta Fight, For Your Right, ...!'

THE FIGHT OF THE YEAR!!!!

JOHNATHON BANKS WILL KNOCKOUT ANTONIO TARVER!!!!

DECEMBER 11TH, 2014

WATCH THE TELEVISED EVENT LIVE ON ESPN2!!

The Goossen Promotions fight card on Dec. 11 on ESPN2 -- in honor of company founder Dan Goossen, who died at age 64 on Sept. 29th -- will include several name fighters.

Austin Trout (27-2-0, 14 KOs) meets Luis Grajeda (17-3-2, 13 KOs) in a junior middleweight main event, along with heavyweight contender Chris Arreola (35-4, 31 KOs), whose opponent is not yet set yet.

Also on the card will be former light heavyweight champ, Antonio Tarver in a heavyweight bout with Johnathon Banks (29-2-1, 19 KOs).

Please know that more fighters -- all in the vast stable of manager Al Haymon, but not signed to Goossen Promotions -- are still to be announced for the card, which will take place at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California.

Chatting recently with the man himself, Johnathon Banks, I first wondered, being that he was actually born in Southfield, MI, where he called home today? "Being that I was born and raised in Detroit I call Detroit home."

It's been said that you were told, aged just two weeks-old, that you would be a great boxer one day - by your grandfather! Was he a Psychic?! "No, he wasn't a Psychic, but he was a Minster and my late grandfather was a Pastor."

You've been quoted as saying that boxing is your life, which would probably explain the fact that you've fought in 32 fights and only lost 2 of them! But, if you hadn't been a boxer, what would your profession have been? "I would have been into electronic technology, or near that field."

Being that this upcoming fight with Antonio Tarver is a rescheduled date from late September when Tarver suffered a thumb injury during training, how have you kept yourself focused on it for the past 6 weeks? "Like your earlier question, boxing is my life. It is not a hobby or a job. It is my life."

With another 4.5 weeks to go after today, does your training routine step up a few gears - or does that come nearer the actual fight? "Yes, it steps up every day."

With regard the actual fight itself, Antonio Tarver is taking a massive gamble by attempting to break into the heavyweight ranks at the age of 45 years-old. Do you see it like that also, perhaps? "No, I don't see it as a gamble for him. I just see him as an opponent I am up against."

You were once trained by the man himself, Boxing Hall of Fame trainer, Emanuel Steward, but since his passing in 2012 who has been training you? "I have always been trained by Emanuel steward or his nephew, but since he is not around any more it is just his nephew now."

You used to train at The Kronk Gym in Detroit, but it was closed down - due to one reason or another. Anita Ruiz re: The Kronk Gym Foundation signed off on a fourth incarnation of the Kronk boxing gym to be housed at Detroit's Considine Recreation Center this past April, but is it operational yet? "Anita Ruiz has nothing to do with Kronk Gym, nor does she have the right to use the gym. Kronk Community Gym will be open shortly and that is where I will be training."

Your fight record is highly impressive re: Won 29, Lost 2, Drawn 1, and add to that Rounds Boxed 167, with a KO% of 59.38, and my question is simple: How can anyone defeat you in this form? "As long as my body is healthy and nothing is wrong, I will continue to win!"

OK, I just got asked to ask you this by a female co-worker in the office, sorry: They say that boxers should not have sex up to a month before a big fight, but is that just an urban legend?! "All fighters are different. Some listen, some don't. As far as myself, I would say 2 or 2.5 months before a fight."

Is there anything else you would like to add, Johnathon? "I'd like to thank my PR, Tara Thomas, for being my assistant!!!"

Finally, we here at Exclusive Magazine love Penguins (the birds), so we were wondering if you did also - and if you had any stories about one? "I use to enjoy feeding them when I was young."

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED BANKS vs TARVER poster, just answer this question about the man himself, Johnathon Banks: In February of 2006, Johnathon Banks KO'd an opponent whilst in his own backyard. Who was the opponent left flat on the canvas and what was the name of the venue?

Send us your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win an AUTOGRAPHED BANKS vs TARVER poster; signed by Banks himself! Just send us an e:mail here before December 15th, 2014 with your answer and the subject title CONTEST: BANKS VS TARVER SIGNED POSTERs to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net