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."

It was in 1948 when Hanks elder brother Aubrey coaxed Johnny to participate in skipping and light exercises at Auckland's Fire Brigade gymnasium he became interested in boxing.

It was during this time he learned boxing skills from the legendary trainer Eugene Donovan who, some months' later, ascertained Hanks good enough to enter competition for novices.

Johnny went on to become the undisputed professional featherweight and lightweight champion of New Zealand, holding both belts concurrently.

In 1985 Hanks officially became a member of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association, initially in the capacity of a ringside judge and was to referee his first bout on 8 December 1986.

Hanks was named by The Bible of Boxing, USA's The Ring magazine, in their May 1954 issue as Prospect of the Month in the featherweight division.

He then defended his featherweight title at the Town Hall, Wellington, New Zealand, on 15 April 1957, where he lost to Billy Leckie.