By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes
Heavyweight contender Johnathon Banks (29-1-1, 19 KOs) sent a shockwave through the entire division on Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, when he knocked out previously undefeated rising star Seth Mitchell (25-1-1, 19 KOs) in two rounds.
Banks was a huge underdog, but he received an inspirational push with the recent passing of his Hall of Fame trainer, Emanuel Steward.
"It's only a surprise to the public and the media. It wasn't a surprise to me because I came in the fight with nothing but confidence. I picked this fight. Nobody thought I could punch and I proved that tonight. And nobody thought I could beat a top true heavyweight and I proved that tonight too," Banks told BoxingScene.com.
"He showed me he was ready to fight. He was coming for a knockout. I knew he was coming for me because he doesn't move around too much and he doesn't do no type of tricks. I knew he was coming for me. And knowing that someone is doing nothing but coming forward, a lot of times they don't see certain shots and that's what I was trying to exploit."
Banks told BoxingScene that he would love the opportunity to avenge his only career defeat. He suffered an eight round TKO loss to Tomasz Adamek (47-2, 29KOs) in 2009. That fight took place at cruiserweight. Both of them are now full fledged heavyweights. Adamek faces Steve Cunningham in a rematch next month. Another option, Banks said, is WBA "regular" heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17KOs).
"Yes, yes and double yes [to fighting Adamek in a rematch]. Alexander Povetkin [is another option], he has the WBA [belt] and I would love to get that title," Banks said.