Vegas Stripped: Former champion looks to make future champions — VIDEO

Kelcie Banks, a former amateur world boxing champion, poses at Johnny Tocco‘s Ringside Boxing Gym Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review Journal Follow @rookie__rae

Trainer Luis Monda,from left, talks to Jesus Rivera at Johnny Tocco‘s Ringside Boxing Gym Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review Journal Follow @rookie__rae

Jonathan Bailon boxes Kyle Ellis at Johnny Tocco‘s Ringside Boxing Gym Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review Journal Follow @rookie__rae

Geraldo Mendosa hits a punching bag while training at Johnny Tocco‘s Ringside Boxing Gym Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review Journal Follow @rookie__rae

From left, Shaun Kaweesa practices boxing while J.J. Johnson practices with his son Amier Johnson as his other son Jaiden Johnson waits on the side of the ring at Johnny Tocco‘s Ringside Boxing Gym Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review Journal Follow @rookie__rae

Jaiden Johnson runs around the ring while Shaun Kaweesa practices at Johnny Tocco‘s Ringside Boxing Gym Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review Journal Follow @rookie__rae

Kelcie Banks relaxes alongside Shaun Kaweesa at Johnny Tocco‘s Ringside Boxing Gym Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review Journal Follow @rookie__rae

Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Boxing Gym isn’t very glamorous or flashy like the rest of Vegas, but within the humble walls you can feel the authenticity of the place.

It’s about disciplined boxing, the hard work without the frills. Huge names have trained here, including Floyd Mayweather, Sonny Liston, Mike Tyson and Larry Holmes.

Kelcie Banks is currently a trainer there, a former amateur world champion in his own right. He left the boxing world professionally in the 1990’s, and came to Johnny Tocco’s a couple years ago to pass on what he learned.

Banks spent 25 years as a boxer, was the 1986 United States Amateur Featherweight Champion, the 1986 World Amateur Featherweight Champion, and again the 1987 United States Amateur Featherweight Champion. He was on the U.S. Olympic team in 1987.

“Vegas Stripped” is a weekly profile series appearing on reviewjournal.com and on the Review-Journal’s Facebook page. Find Rachel Aston on Twitter: @rookie__rae