| Click on photo above to enter Kronk Store. 734-663-5421 |
ANDREW MICHAEL LEE
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Johnathon Banks
Johnathon Banks is Kronk Boxing's 25-year-old "Cruiserweight on the Rise". July
26,2006, Mr. Banks became the NABO Cruiserweight Champion of the World;
defeating former champion, Eliseo Castillo, with a stunning fourth round knockout.
Johnathon boasts a record of 12-0 (9 KO's). Seven of Johnathon's fights concluded
with devastating first round knockouts! He is currently ranked #15 in the world.
Johnathon began boxing at the age of 14. He soon began accumulating
championships, including the Michigan State Jr Olympics, the State Silver Gloves, and
the Detroit Golden Gloves. However, just 1 year later, Johnathon was involved in a car
accident in which he was the passenger of a car that was hit and overturned at least 3
times. Johnathon suffered a bruised chest muscle and was forced to refrain from the
sport of boxing for 2 years.
In 1999, Johnathon returned to boxing. That same year, he was scheduled to fight at a
locale in Michigan in which he was informed that women were not allowed. Johnathon,
a man of solid family ties, simply responded, "If my mother can't come, I won't fight."
While such a stance is to be admired by most, it became the source of friction between
Johnathon and his former trainer; hence Johnathon decided to seek training
elsewhere.
Johnathon joined Detroit's Kronk Boxing Team in the year 2000. His earliest memory
of the Kronk Gym is that it was always packed. When asked why he chose Kronk, he
blatantly replies, "Kronk is the place of champions!"
Johnathon made his professional debut in July 2004, at the Mohegan Sun in
Connecticut. His ultimate goal is to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
He intends to restore "class" to the title of World Champion. Mr. Banks wants to be
known as "a nice guy"…. words which are not commonly associated with many boxers
of today.
Outside the ring, Johnathon's interests are rather extensive. He is a member of both
the mass choir and usher board at Word of Truth Church; Johnathon is quick to
confess that God's role in his life is "Everything". He attended the National Institute of
Technology for 1 year, majoring in Electronics and Computer Technology. Johnathon
would also like to pursue a career as a lawyer, later in life.
But as for the present, Mr. Banks makes it quite clear that boxing is his primary focus.
In regards to Emanuel Steward and the Kronk Gym, Johnathon emphatically states,
"Emanuel is one of the best humanitarians I ever met…If I don't box for Kronk, I won't
be boxing at all…. this is where I'm at, this is where I wanna be!"
Written By: Sylvette Marie Steward
Johnathon Banks is Kronk Boxing's 25-year-old "Cruiserweight on the Rise". July
26,2006, Mr. Banks became the NABO Cruiserweight Champion of the World;
defeating former champion, Eliseo Castillo, with a stunning fourth round knockout.
Johnathon boasts a record of 12-0 (9 KO's). Seven of Johnathon's fights concluded
with devastating first round knockouts! He is currently ranked #15 in the world.
Johnathon began boxing at the age of 14. He soon began accumulating
championships, including the Michigan State Jr Olympics, the State Silver Gloves, and
the Detroit Golden Gloves. However, just 1 year later, Johnathon was involved in a car
accident in which he was the passenger of a car that was hit and overturned at least 3
times. Johnathon suffered a bruised chest muscle and was forced to refrain from the
sport of boxing for 2 years.
In 1999, Johnathon returned to boxing. That same year, he was scheduled to fight at a
locale in Michigan in which he was informed that women were not allowed. Johnathon,
a man of solid family ties, simply responded, "If my mother can't come, I won't fight."
While such a stance is to be admired by most, it became the source of friction between
Johnathon and his former trainer; hence Johnathon decided to seek training
elsewhere.
Johnathon joined Detroit's Kronk Boxing Team in the year 2000. His earliest memory
of the Kronk Gym is that it was always packed. When asked why he chose Kronk, he
blatantly replies, "Kronk is the place of champions!"
Johnathon made his professional debut in July 2004, at the Mohegan Sun in
Connecticut. His ultimate goal is to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
He intends to restore "class" to the title of World Champion. Mr. Banks wants to be
known as "a nice guy"…. words which are not commonly associated with many boxers
of today.
Outside the ring, Johnathon's interests are rather extensive. He is a member of both
the mass choir and usher board at Word of Truth Church; Johnathon is quick to
confess that God's role in his life is "Everything". He attended the National Institute of
Technology for 1 year, majoring in Electronics and Computer Technology. Johnathon
would also like to pursue a career as a lawyer, later in life.
But as for the present, Mr. Banks makes it quite clear that boxing is his primary focus.
In regards to Emanuel Steward and the Kronk Gym, Johnathon emphatically states,
"Emanuel is one of the best humanitarians I ever met…If I don't box for Kronk, I won't
be boxing at all…. this is where I'm at, this is where I wanna be!"
Written By: Sylvette Marie Steward
Andrew Michael Lee is a name of distinct royal resonance. It is also the proper name of
Kronk's latest international arrival. The 23-year- old Irish Middleweight reluctantly admits
that he is quite well recognized amongst Ireland's sporting circles. As he made his pro
debut, March 10th 2006, at the Joe Louis Arena, his sphere of fans had expand.
Andy Lee was born in London, England, June 11, 1984. In the 70's, his parents left
Ireland and relocated to London for employment opportunities. Andy's interest in boxing
was quite natural, as his 2 older brothers were boxers. He began his amateur career at
the age of 8. From that point on, Andy Lee won the National Title every year!
In 1998, Andy's family returned to their homeland of Ireland. 14-year-old Andy Lee was
quite disgruntled with having to leave behind the lively streets of London in exchange for
the rural life of Limerick. However, Andy now acknowledges that such a move was a
blessing in disguise. He comments, "…In the country, there was nothing else to do but
box." At 16 years of age, Andy Lee joined Ireland's National Team. His global travels
include the countries of Thailand, Denmark, Russia, and Italy, just to name a few.
At the age of 18, Andy Lee won both the Irish National Senior Title, and the Silver Medal
in Cuba at the World Jr. Championships. At the age of 19, Andy won the European
Bronze Medal at the European Championships in Croatia. This medal bears much
weight in Andy's remembrance. He acquired this medal, fighting a series of 3 fights, with
a broken right hand. Quitting was not an option.
In 2004, Andy Lee met Emanuel Steward in Belfast. At the time, Emanuel was on a
European speaking tour. In regards to his decision to move to Detroit and join the Kronk
Boxing Team, Andy fervently responds, "Everyone knows that Emanuel is the best in the
game."
Andy is from a close knit family and admits that his move to Detroit is most certainly a
sacrifice. He still gets homesick, "some days are worse than others." Andy finds
reading autobiographies an easy means of passing time. Why autobiographies?
"…Because they give insight into people's lives."
What is Andy's insight concerning his own life? His parents' unwavering support is a
driving force of great magnitude. "We didn't have the best, but we had enough." Andy
never went without boxing shoes or equipment. His parents also provided his train fare
to and from Dublin every weekend. There, Andy trained with the national team. Andy's
parents never complained. Hence, Andrew Michael Lee properly informs, "This is where
I have to be to make it…so I'm gonna win the title and make my parents proud!"
Written By: Sylvette Marie Steward
Kronk's latest international arrival. The 23-year- old Irish Middleweight reluctantly admits
that he is quite well recognized amongst Ireland's sporting circles. As he made his pro
debut, March 10th 2006, at the Joe Louis Arena, his sphere of fans had expand.
Andy Lee was born in London, England, June 11, 1984. In the 70's, his parents left
Ireland and relocated to London for employment opportunities. Andy's interest in boxing
was quite natural, as his 2 older brothers were boxers. He began his amateur career at
the age of 8. From that point on, Andy Lee won the National Title every year!
In 1998, Andy's family returned to their homeland of Ireland. 14-year-old Andy Lee was
quite disgruntled with having to leave behind the lively streets of London in exchange for
the rural life of Limerick. However, Andy now acknowledges that such a move was a
blessing in disguise. He comments, "…In the country, there was nothing else to do but
box." At 16 years of age, Andy Lee joined Ireland's National Team. His global travels
include the countries of Thailand, Denmark, Russia, and Italy, just to name a few.
At the age of 18, Andy Lee won both the Irish National Senior Title, and the Silver Medal
in Cuba at the World Jr. Championships. At the age of 19, Andy won the European
Bronze Medal at the European Championships in Croatia. This medal bears much
weight in Andy's remembrance. He acquired this medal, fighting a series of 3 fights, with
a broken right hand. Quitting was not an option.
In 2004, Andy Lee met Emanuel Steward in Belfast. At the time, Emanuel was on a
European speaking tour. In regards to his decision to move to Detroit and join the Kronk
Boxing Team, Andy fervently responds, "Everyone knows that Emanuel is the best in the
game."
Andy is from a close knit family and admits that his move to Detroit is most certainly a
sacrifice. He still gets homesick, "some days are worse than others." Andy finds
reading autobiographies an easy means of passing time. Why autobiographies?
"…Because they give insight into people's lives."
What is Andy's insight concerning his own life? His parents' unwavering support is a
driving force of great magnitude. "We didn't have the best, but we had enough." Andy
never went without boxing shoes or equipment. His parents also provided his train fare
to and from Dublin every weekend. There, Andy trained with the national team. Andy's
parents never complained. Hence, Andrew Michael Lee properly informs, "This is where
I have to be to make it…so I'm gonna win the title and make my parents proud!"
Written By: Sylvette Marie Steward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fighters
Click on photos
| CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANDY |
| KRONK BOXING TEAM FEB. 2006 |
| Click on link to go to:: ESPN PHOTO GALLERY OF THE ORIGINAL KRONK GYM |
CLICK ON
PHOTO
FOR TRAINING
CAMP
T-SHIRT
PHOTO
FOR TRAINING
CAMP
T-SHIRT
