By Francisco Salazar

It is not uncommon for many fighters to train fighters once they hang up the gloves for good. It almost seems like a rite of passage for those who still want to continue to be involved in the sport of boxing.

Freddie Roach, Robert Garcia, and Joel Diaz are just a few of the many fighters that have found success as trainers in recent years.

Heavyweight Johnathon Banks is in a unique situation. He happens to train the best heavyweight in the world today in Wladimir Klitschko, yet still competes in the division.

That is okay with Banks, who is humbled by working with one of the best heavyweights ever and is still making a name for himself.

Banks will fight Antonio Tarver in a 10 round bout on Thursday night at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.

The bout will be part of a four-bout “Friday Night Fights” telecast that will air on ESPN2, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.  The main event will be a 10 round junior middleweight bout between Austin Trout and Luis Grajeda.

Banks has not fought since losing a 12 round unanimous decision to Seth Mitchell on June 22 of last year. Seven months prior to that bout, Banks stopped Mitchell in the second round, handing Mitchell his first loss as a pro. The loss last June snapped a 10-bout unbeaten streak.

Banks (29-2-1, 20 KOs) was scheduled to fight Tarver on September 29, but the fight was postponed due to an injury Tarver suffered in training. Having been a veteran of the sport, Banks was unfazed by the postponement.

“I’m just focused,” Banks told Boxingscene.com earlier this week. “I just want to fight and fight as often as I can. I want to win. Fighting on Thursday, regardless of who it is, from rounds one to 10, I’m going for the win.”

After the passing of Emanuel Steward in October of 2012, Banks assumed the responsibility of training the Klitschko brothers. After the retirement of Vitali to focus on politics, Banks has worked exclusively with Wladimir. He was in Klitschko’s corner on November 15, when the hard-hitting heavyweight knocked out Kubrat Pulev in the fifth round.

While some would think Banks has had to put his own career on hold to accommodate Klitschko, he begs to differ.

“It’s an easy transition for me. When I’m not training, my trainer’s hat is on. I focus on being a trainer. While I’m training, I have my fighter’s hat on.”

Since making his professional debut in July of 2004, Banks was trained by Emanuel Steward and began serving as a second to Steward along the way. Banks had been a familiar presence around the Klitschkos, but more so as

a trainer in the last couple of years.

While Klitschko has dominated the heavyweight landscape, Banks has had a front row seat, whether it is in the gym in preparation or in Klitschko’s corner.

Despite the different backgrounds, Banks has gained a great appreciation of the work Klitschko puts in the gym.

“To put it in perspective, we’re worlds apart. But our paths came together and we work well with each other. We learn from each other and we’re both happy. Just to go along with them during these last 10-11 years is a humbling experience. It’s amazing to be there with them.”

Klitschko reportedly will not fight until the spring of 2015, which will give Banks more opportunities to make a name for himself in the division. A three-time amateur champion, Banks should be considered a force to be reckoned with, despite only being 32 years of age.

“Age is the last thing on my mind.”

“I want to fight as often as possible. Two or three times a year. I want to keep fighting and I want to win.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Salazar also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation.  He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing