Bob Foster
Foster c. 1972
Born
Robert Wayne Foster[1]

(1938-12-15)December 15, 1938[2]
Borger, Texas, U.S.
DiedNovember 21, 2015(2015-11-21) (aged 73)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Other namesThe Deputy Sheriff
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach78.75 in (200 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights65
Wins56
Wins by KO46
Losses8
Draws1
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's boxing
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place Chicago 1959 Middleweight

Robert Wayne Foster (April 27, 1942 – November 21, 2015) was an American professional boxer who fought as a light heavyweight and heavyweight. Known as "The Deputy Sheriff", Foster was one of the greatest light heavyweight champions in boxing history. He won the world light heavyweight title from Dick Tiger in 1968 via fourth-round knockout, and went on to defend his crown fourteen times against thirteen different fighters in total from 1968 to 1974. Foster challenged Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali during his career, but was knocked out by both (the fight with Ali was not for a world heavyweight title, but for the regional NABF version). He was named to Ring Magazine's list of 100 Greatest Punchers of all time. He was also named to Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years, ranking at #55. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.[3]

Early life

Foster was born at Borger, Texas on April 27, 1942. In his childhood years his family moved to Albuquerque in New Mexico, and he received his formal education at Albuquerque High School. On leaving school he enlisted with the United States Air Force, in which he served with the rank of Airman Second Class.[4] He began boxing on the Golden Gloves amateur circuit, and also took part in competitive inter-service matches for the U.S. Air Force.[1]

Boxing career

Foster started his professional career on the night of March 27, 1961, against Duke Williams, in Washington, D.C., winning by knockout in two rounds. The first 12 bouts of his career were spent campaigning in the United States' Eastern coast and in Canada. In his tenth bout, he made his first of multiple forays into the heavyweight division, and suffered his first loss, at the hands of Doug Jones, by a knockout in the eighth round.

After two more wins, he went in 1963 to Peru, where he lost to South American champion Mauro Mina by a decision in ten rounds at Lima. This was his first major Light Heavyweight bout, but it wouldn't be his last.

Three more fights back in the States resulted in quick knockout wins for him, and then, in 1964, he made his second attempt at entering the heavyweight rankings, being knocked out in the seventh by future world Heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell. He finished the year by posting three more knockout wins at Light Heavyweight, two of them in the month of November. The night of November 11 was Foster's first win of note as a light-heavyweight. One month after knocking out Don Quinn in the first round, he stepped up in the ring again and faced former world title challenger Henry Hank. He beat Hank by a knockout in the tenth.

In 1965, he had five fights, winning four and losing one. He beat Hank again, by decision in 12 rounds, and lost to Zora Folley, by a decision in ten rounds, in another attempt at joining the heavyweight top ten.

In 1966 he defeated Leroy Green in two rounds.

By 1967, Foster, although his attempts to become a top heavyweight were being frustrated, was a ranked light heavyweight. He decided to stick to the light-heavyweight division for the time being, and he won all seven of his fights, six by knockout. Among the fighters he beat were Eddie Cotton, Eddie Vick, and Sonny Moore. After defeating Moore, Foster was the world's number one ranked light heavyweight challenger.

World light-heavyweight champion

In 1968, Foster got his first shot at a world title. At Madison Square Garden in New York, on the night of March 24, Foster became world champion by knocking out Dick Tiger in four rounds. Tiger had been a two-time world middleweight champion and was defending his world light heavyweight crown that night. Foster then decided to box at heavyweight once again, and beat Charlie Polite by a knockout in three. He ended that year defeating Vick again, and his future world title challenger Roger Rouse, both by a knockout.

In 1969, he began by rising off the canvas to knock out Frank DePaula in the same first round and retain his belt. It is believed that was the first time ever a boxer won a world title fight in the first round after being floored in that same round. It is also believed that that fight is one of only three times that's happened... the second time being in 1984, when Juan Meza rose off a knockdown to dethrone world Jr. Featherweight champion Jaime Garza in the same first round too. It also happened in the 21st century, when Kendall Holt was dropped twice, only to knockout Ricardo Torres in round 1, for the WBO 140 lb title.

Foster's next fight in 1969 was against Andy Kendall, whom he beat in four rounds by knockout, to once again retain the crown. He closed the 1960s with two more knockout wins.

Frazier vs Foster

In 1970, Foster made two more trips to the heavyweights. In the first, he beat fringe contender Lee Wallace in six rounds by knockout. This was followed by a return to the light-heavyweight division to defend his title against Rouse. Infuriated by some comments that Rouse's manager had made before the bout concerning the fact that even though Foster knocked out Rouse in their first bout he was not able to drop him, Foster dropped Rouse five times en route to a fourth-round knockout victory. A knockout in 10 to retain the title against Mark Tessman followed, and then he was given the chance to challenge for the world heavyweight title. Facing world champion Joe Frazier on the night of November 18 in Detroit, he was knocked out in two rounds.

After defeating Hal Carroll by a knockout in four rounds to defend his crown, the WBA stripped him of the title, but he was still recognized by the WBC as a champion. Foster became enraged at the WBA, which proceeded to have Vicente Rondon of Venezuela and Jimmy Dupree fight for the world title. Rondon won, becoming the second Latin American world light-heavyweight champion (after José Torres), and Foster set his eyes on him. Foster went on defending his WBC title, and he defeated challengers Ray Anderson, Tommy Hicks, and Brian Kelly. Of those three, it was Anderson who was the only one to last the 15 round distance with Foster.

Ali vs Foster

Foster and Rondon met in Miami on April 7, 1972, in a unification bout. Foster became the undisputed world champion once again, by knocking Rondon out in the second round. In his next fight, he used what many critics have called one of the best punches in history to retain his title by a knockout in four against Mike Quarry. Foster then went up in weight and faced former and future world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, on November 21, 1972, in what was legendary referee Mills Lane's first bout of note as a referee. Foster lost to Ali by a knockout in the eighth, after being knocked down 7 times.

In 1973, Foster retained his title twice against Pierre Fourie, both by decision. Their second fight had a distinct social impact because it was fought in Apartheid-ruled South Africa, Foster being Black and Fourie being White. Foster became a hero to South African Blacks by beating Fourie the first time around, and in their rematch, the first boxing fight in South Africa during Apartheid featuring a White versus a Black, he cemented that position by defeating Fourie on points again.

Piet Koornhoff was the South African Minister of Sport at that time and he had to be persuaded to allow the fight. He had to amend the regulations relating to the prohibition of "mixed sport" in order to do so. Bob Foster was allowed into the country on condition that he refrain from making any political comments or speeches. In a post fight interview he diplomatically responded to a specific question that he liked the country and would be willing to come back again. This explains the sentiment of Mark Mathabane as noted in his autobiography Kaffir Boy, that South Africa's black population felt betrayed by Foster since he didn't address Apartheid during his time in South Africa.

His last defense as world light-heavyweight champion came in 1974, when he was dropped by Argentinian Jorge Ahumada, but managed to keep the title with a draw. After that, he announced his retirement, leaving the world's light-heavyweight championship vacant.[5]

Foster returned to boxing in 1975, before retiring from the sport in 1978 at the age of 36.

Post-boxing life

In the mid-1970s Foster became a police officer with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department, later becoming a detective and a well known policeman in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[6]

Personal life

He married Pearl with whom he had four children. He divorced then married Sue. He had a child named Nelson. Foster married Patricia Saiz in 1982. Her death in 1984 was ruled a suicide. His fourth wife is Rosetta Benjamin.

Foster died at the age of 73 on November 21, 2015, in a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[6] His body was buried at Fairview Memorial Park cemetery in Albuquerque.[7]

Professional boxing record

65 fights 56 wins 8 losses
By knockout 46 6
By decision 10 2
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
65 Loss 56–8–1 Bob Hazelton TKO 2 (10) Jun 2, 1978 Century II Convention Hall, Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
64 Loss 56–7–1 Mustafa Wassaja RTD 5 (8) Feb 9, 1978 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
63 Win 56–6–1 Bob Hazelton KO 10 (10), 0:22 Sep 2, 1977 Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
62 Win 55–6–1 Al Bolden KO 6 (10) Sep 25, 1976 Spokane Coliseum, Spokane, Washington, U.S.
61 Win 54–6–1 Harold Carter UD 10 Aug 28, 1976 Eagles Aerie, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
60 Win 53–6–1 Al Bolden KO 3 (10), 2:53 May 8, 1976 Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
59 Win 52–6–1 Bill Hardney KO 3 (10), 1:26 Jun 28, 1975 Sweeney Gym, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.
58 Draw 51–6–1 Jorge Ahumada SD 15 Jun 17, 1974 University Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
57 Win 51–6 Pierre Fourie UD 15 Dec 1, 1973 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Transvaalx South Africa Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
56 Win 50–6 Pierre Fourie UD 15 Aug 21, 1973 University Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
55 Loss 49–6 Muhammad Ali KO 8 (12), 0:40 Nov 21, 1972 Sahara Tahoe Hotel, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. For WBC-NABF heavyweight title
54 Win 49–5 Chris Finnegan KO 14 (15), 0:55 Sep 26, 1972 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
53 Win 48–5 Mike Quarry KO 4 (15), 3:00 Jun 27, 1972 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
52 Win 47–5 Vicente Rondón KO 2 (15), 2:55 Apr 7, 1972 Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles;
Won WBA light heavyweight title
51 Win 46–5 Brian Kelly TKO 3 (15), 1:56 Dec 16, 1971 Fairgrounds Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
50 Win 45–5 Tommy Hicks TKO 8 (15) Oct 30, 1971 Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
49 Win 44–5 Vernon McIntosh TKO 3 (10), 0:37 Aug 17, 1971 Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
48 Win 43–5 Ray Anderson UD 15 Apr 24, 1971 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
47 Win 42–5 Hal Carroll TKO 4 (15), 2:32 Mar 2, 1971 Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
46 Loss 41–5 Joe Frazier KO 2 (15), 0:49 Nov 18, 1970 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. For WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
45 Win 41–4 Mark Tessman TKO 10 (15), 2:00 Jun 27, 1970 Baltimore Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
44 Win 40–4 Roger Rouse RTD 3 (15), 3:00 Apr 4, 1970 Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
42 Win 39–4 Roy Wallace KO 6 (10) Mar 9, 1970 Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
41 Win 38–4 Bill Hardney TKO 4 (10) Feb 24, 1970 Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
41 Win 37–4 Chuck Leslie TKO 5 (10), 2:58 Nov 2, 1969 New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
40 Win 36–4 Levan Roundtree TKO 4 (10), 2:10 Jun 19, 1969 Atlanta Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
39 Win 35–4 Andy Kendall TKO 4 (15), 1:15 May 24, 1969 Eastern States Coliseum, West Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
38 Win 34–4 Frank DePaula TKO 1 (15), 2:17 Jan 22, 1969 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
37 Win 33–4 Roger Rouse TKO 5 (10), 2:34 Sep 9, 1968 Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.
36 Win 32–4 Eddie Vick TKO 9 (10) Aug 26, 1968 Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
35 Win 31–4 Charley Polite TKO 3 (10) Jul 29, 1968 Eastern States Coliseum, West Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
34 Win 30–4 Dick Tiger KO 4 (15), 2:05 May 24, 1968 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
33 Win 29–4 Sonny Moore KO 5 (10) Dec 5, 1967 Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.
32 Win 28–4 Eddie Vick UD 10 Nov 20, 1967 Providence Coliseum, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
31 Win 27–4 Levan Roundtree KO 8 (10), 1:35 Oct 25, 1967 Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.
30 Win 26–4 Henry Matthews TKO 2 (10) Jun 9, 1967 Starland Arena, Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
29 Win 25–4 Eddie Cotton KO 3 (12), 1:58 May 8, 1967 Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.
28 Win 24–4 Andres Antonio Selpa KO 2 (10), 2:30 Feb 27, 1967 Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.
27 Win 23–4 Jim Robinson KO 1 (10) Jan 16, 1967 Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.
26 Win 22–4 LeRoy Green KO 2 (?) Dec 6, 1966 Norfolk Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
25 Loss 21–4 Zora Folley UD 10 Dec 6, 1965 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
24 Win 21–3 Henry Hank UD 12 Jul 26, 1965 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
23 Win 20–3 Chuck Leslie TKO 3 (10), 2:58 May 24, 1965 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
22 Win 19–3 Dave Russell TKO 6 (10), 1:30 Mar 21, 1965 Norfolk Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
21 Win 18–3 Bobby Rascon KO 2 (10) Feb 15, 1965 Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
20 Win 17–3 Henry Hank TKO 9 (10) Dec 11, 1964 Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
19 Win 16–3 Norman Letcher TKO 1 (10), 0:43 Nov 23, 1964 Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S.
18 Win 15–3 Don Quinn KO 1 (10), 1:07 Nov 11, 1964 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
17 Loss 14–3 Ernie Terrell TKO 7 (10), 0:58 Jul 10, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
16 Win 14–2 Allen Thomas TKO 1 (10), 1:26 May 8, 1964 Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
15 Win 13–2 Dave Bailey KO 1 (6) Feb 25, 1964 Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
14 Win 12–2 Willi Besmanoff KO 3 (10), 2:55 Dec 11, 1963 Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
13 Loss 11–2 Mauro Mina UD 10 Nov 7, 1963 Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru
12 Win 11–1 Curtis Bruce KO 4 (8), 2:33 Apr 29, 1963 Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
11 Win 10–1 Richard Benjamin KO 1 (8), 0:47 Feb 18, 1963 Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
10 Loss 9–1 Doug Jones TKO 8 (10), 0:23 Oct 20, 1962 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Bert Whitehurst SD 8 Jun 27, 1962 Sunnyside Garden Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Billy Tisdale TKO 2 (6) May 19, 1962 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Clarence Floyd KO 4 (6), 2:56 Dec 4, 1961 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
6 Win 6–0 Ernie Knox TKO 3 (6) Nov 21, 1961 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Floyd McCoy PTS 6 Aug 8, 1961 Delormier Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
4 Win 4–0 Ray Bryan TKO 2 (6) Jun 22, 1961 Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
3 Win 3–0 Billy Johnson PTS 4 May 8, 1961 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Clarence Ryan PTS 4 Apr 3, 1961 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Duke Williams KO 2 (5), 2:03 Mar 27, 1961 Capitol Arena, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Entry for Foster in the 'Encyclopedia Britannica' https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Foster
  2. ↑ "Cyber Boxing Zone -- Bob Foster".
  3. ↑ "Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees".
  4. ↑ Obituary for Bob Foster, 'Daily Telegraph', December 4, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Foster Keeps Title on Draw". St. Petersburg Times. June 18, 1974. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
  6. 1 2 Goldsmith, Alex (November 21, 2015) Champion boxer, BCSO deputy Bob Foster dead at 77. krqe.com
  7. ↑ Entry for Bob Foster's grave in Findagrave website (2019). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155272027/bob-foster
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