Who was the first boxer to knock Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) down and receive a count?

Lucien "Sonny" Banks (June 29, 1940 – May 13, 1965) was an American boxer best known for being the first fighter to drop a young Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay). At the time Banks was a rising prospect and known for a fast sharp left hook. Banks fought Clay in 1962 and knocked him down for a count. Banks went on to lose the match by TKO in the 4th round. Prior to the match, Clay announced, "the man must fall in the round I call, in fact Banks must fall in four".

He was born in the farming community Birmingham Ridge, about halfway between Tupelo and Saltillo. Banks was an employee of the Ford Motor Company who boxed to bring in extra income. Early on in his career he was a sparring partner for Sonny Liston.

Unfortunately Banks was injured in a nine-round bout against Leotis Martin in 1965, and died from a blood clot to the brain three days after the fight.