Bob Foster (boxer)

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Bob Foster

Foster c. 1972

Statistics

Real name Robert Lloyd Foster'[1]

Nickname(s) The Deputy Sheriff

Rated at Heavyweight

Light heavyweight

Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)

Reach 79 in (201 cm)

Nationality American

Born December 15, 1938

 Borger, Texas, U.S.

Died November 21, 2015 (aged 76)

Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.

Stance Orthodox

Boxing record

Total fights 65

Wins 56

Wins by KO 46

Losses 8

Draws 1

Medal record[hide]

Representing United States

Men's boxing
Pan American Games
Chicago 1959 Middleweight

Robert Lloyd Foster (December 15, 1938 – November 21, 2015) was an
American professional boxer who fought as alight heavyweight and heavyweight. Known as
"The Deputy Sheriff", Foster was one of the greatest light heavyweight champions in boxing
history. He won the undisputed light heavyweight title from Dick Tiger in 1968 via fourth round
knockout, and went on to defend his crown fourteen times in total from 1968 to 1974. Foster
challenged heavyweight kings Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali during his career, but was
knocked out by both fighters (the fight with Ali was not for a world heavyweight title, but for the
regional NABF version).
Foster retired from professional boxing in 1978, at the age of 40.

Contents
[hide]

 1Early years
 2World light-heavyweight champion
 3Frazier vs Foster
 4Ali vs Foster
 5Retirement and comeback
 6Professional boxing record
 7See also
 8References
 9External links

Early years[edit]
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.
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 championErnie 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 fight 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,
and lost to Zora Folley, by a decision in ten, 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[edit]

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 outDick 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 future George Foreman victim 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 De Paula 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[edit]
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 remained as world champion on the WBC. 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[edit]
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, 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-ruledSouth 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 after
Apartheid featuring a White versus a Black, he cemented that position by defeating Fourie on
points again. However, asMark Mathabane noted in his autobiography Kaffir Boy, South
Africa's black population also felt betrayed by Foster since he didn't address Apartheid during
his time in South Africa.

Retirement and comeback[edit]

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.[2]
Foster would return to the ring in 1975, winning a series of 10 round contests, before retiring
for good.
In his retirement, the former world champion joined the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department
and became a detective, where he would become a well known officer in the Albuquerque
area.[3]
He married four times and became a widower in 1984.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame at Canastota, New York, in 1990.
Foster had a record of 56 wins, 8 losses and 1 draw, with 46 wins coming by knockout. He was
named to Ring Magazine's list of 100 Greatest Punchers. He was also named to Ring
Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years, ranking at #55.
Foster died on November 21, 2015 at a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of
76.[3]

Professional boxing record[edit]

56 Wins (46 KOs), 8 Losses (6 KOs), 1 Draw[1]

D
Re Oppone Round, a
Record Type Location Notes
s. nt Time t
e

1
9
7
Lo Bob 2 (?), 8- Century II Convention
56–8–1 TKO
? 0
ss Hazelton Hall, Wichita, Kansas
6-
0
2

1
9
7
Lo Mus 5 (8), 8-
56–7–1 tafa RTD
- 0 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
ss
Wassaja 2-
0
9

1
9
7
Wi Bob 10 (10), 7- Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherla
56–6–1 KO
0:22 0
n Hazelton nds Antilles
9-
0
2

1
9
7
Wi Al 6 (10), 6- Spokane
55–6–1 KO
? 0
n Bolden Coliseum, Spokane, Washington
9-
2
5

1
Wi Har 9 Eagles
54–6–1 UD 10
n old 7 Aerie, Missoula, Montana
6-
 Carter 0
8-
2
8

1
9
7
Wi Al 3 (10), 6- Adams Field
53–6–1 KO
? 0
n Bolden House, Missoula, Montana
5-
0
8

1
9
7
Wi Bill 3 (10), 5- Sweeney Gym, Santa Fe, New
52–6–1 KO
1:26 0
n Hardney Mexico
6-
2
8

1
9
Jorg 7 Retained Lineal/The
Dr e 4- University Ring/WBC/WBA
51–6–1 SD 15
0 light-heavyweight
aw Ahumad Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico
a 6- titles.
1
7

1
9
7 Retained Lineal/The
Wi Pier 3- Rand Ring/WBC/WBA
51–6 UD 15
1 light-heavyweight
n re Fourie Stadium, Johannesburg, Transvaal
2- titles.
0
1

1
9
7 Retained Lineal/The
Wi Pier 3- University Ring/WBC/WBA
50–6 UD 15
0 light-heavyweight
n re Fourie Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico
8- titles.
2
1

1
9
Muh 7
Lo 8 (12), 2- Sahara Tahoe For NABF heavywei
49–6 ammad KO
0:40 1 ght title.
ss Hotel, Stateline, Nevada
Ali 1-
2
1
 1
9 Retained Lineal/The
Chri 7 Ring/WBC/WBA
Wi s 14 (15), 2- Empire light-heavyweight
49–5 KO
0:55 0 titles.
n Finnega Pool, Wembley, London
n 9- The Ring Fight of
2 the Year 1972.
6

1
9
7 Retained Lineal/The
Wi Mik 4 (15), 2- Las Vegas Convention Ring/WBC/WBA
48–5 KO
? 0 light-heavyweight
n e Quarry Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
6- titles.
2
7

1
9
7 Retained Lineal/The
Wi Vice 4 (15), 2- Ring/WBC, & won
Miami Beach Convention
47–5 nte KO
2:55 0 WBA light-
n Hall, Miami Beach, Florida
Rondón 6- heavyweight titles.
2
7

1
9
7
Retained Lineal/The
Wi Bria 3 (15), 1- Fairgrounds Arena, Oklahoma
46–5 TKO
1:56 1
Ring/WBC light-
n n Kelly City, Oklahoma
heavyweight titles.
2-
1
6

1
9
7
Retained Lineal/The
Wi Tom 8 (15), 1- Catholic Youth
45–5 TKO
? 1
Ring/WBC light-
n my Hicks Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania
heavyweight titles.
0-
3
0

1
9
Ver 7
Wi 3 (10), 1-
44–5 non TKO
0:37 0
Miami Beach, Florida
n
McIntosh 8-
1
7

1
Ray 9 Retained Lineal/The
Wi 7 Curtis Hixon
43–5 Anderso UD 15 Ring/WBC light-
n 1- Hall, Tampa, Florida
heavyweight titles.
n
0
4-
 2
4

1
9
7
Retained Lineal/The
Wi Hal 4 (15), 1- Catholic Youth
42–5 TKO
2:32 0
Ring/WBC light-
n Carroll Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania
heavyweight titles.
3-
0
2

1
9
7
For
Lo Joe 2 (15), 0-
41–5 KO
0:49 1
Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan WBC/WBA heavyw
ss Frazier eight titles.
1-
1
8

1
9
Mar 7 Retained Lineal/The
Wi 10 (15), 0- Baltimore Civic Ring/WBC/WBA
41–4 k TKO
? 0 light-heavyweight
n Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Tessman 6- titles.
2
7

1
9
7 Retained Lineal/The
Wi Rog 4 (15), 0- Adams Field Ring/WBC/WBA
40–4 TKO
? 0 light-heavyweight
n er Rouse House, Missoula, Montana
4- titles.
0
4

1
9
7
Wi Roy 6 (10), 0- Fort Homer Hesterly
39–4 KO
? 0
n Wallace Armory, Tampa, Florida
3-
0
9

1
9
7
Wi Bill 4 (10), 0-
38–4 TKO
? 0
Orlando, Florida
n Hardney
2-
2
4

Wi Chu 5 (10), 1 New Orleans Municipal

37–4 TKO
2:58 9
n ck Leslie Auditorium, New Orleans,Louisiana
6
 9-
1
1-
0
2

1
9
Lev 6
Wi an 4 (10), 9- Atlanta Municipal
36–4 TKO
2:10 0
n Roundtre Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia
e 6-
1
9

1
9
6 Retained Lineal/The
Wi And Eastern States
4 (15), 9- Ring/WBC/WBA
35–4 TKO
1:15 0
Coliseum, West
light-heavyweight
n y Kendall Springfield,Massachusetts
5- titles.
2
4

1
9
Fran 6 Retained Lineal/The
Wi 1 (15), 9- Madison Square Garden, New Ring/WBC/WBA
34–4 k TKO
2:17 0 light-heavyweight
n York, New York
DePaula 1- titles.
2
2

1
9
6
Wi Rog 5 (10), 8- Washington
33–4 TKO
2:34 0
n er Rouse Coliseum, Washington, D.C.
9-
0
9

1
9
6
Wi Eddi Tingley
9 (10), 8-
32–4 TKO
? 0
Coliseum, Albuquerque, New
n e Vick Mexico
8-
2
6

1
9
Cha 6
Wi Eastern States
3 (10), 8-
31–4 rley TKO
? 0
Coliseum, West
n Springfield,Massachusetts
Polite 7-
2
9
 1
9
6
Won Lineal/The
Wi Dick 4 (15), 8- Madison Square Garden, New
30–4 KO
2:05 0
Ring/WBC/WBA ligh
n Tiger York, New York
t-heavyweight titles.
5-
2
4

5
29 Sonny Washington
(10)
Win KO 1967-12-05 Coliseum, Washington
–4 Moore ,
, D.C.
?

28 Eddie Providence
Win UD 10 1967-11-20 Coliseum, Providence,
–4 Vick Rhode Island

8
(10)
27 Levan Washington,
Win KO , 1967-10-25
–4 Roundtree 1:3
D.C.
5

2
26 Henry Starland
(10)
Win TKO 1967-06-09 Arena, Roanoke, Virgi
–4 Matthews ,
nia
?

3
(12) Washington
25 Eddie
Win KO , 1967-05-08 Coliseum, Washington
–4 Cotton 1:5 , D.C.
8

2
(10) Washington
24 Andres
Win KO , 1967-02-27 Coliseum, Washington
–4 Antonio Selpa 2:3 , D.C.
0

1
23 Jim Washington
(10)
Win KO 1967-01-16 Coliseum, Washington
–4 Robinson ,
, D.C.
?

2 Norfolk
22 LeRoy
Win KO (?), 1966-12-06 Arena, Norfolk, Virgini
–4 Green ? a

21 Zora Municipal
Loss UD 10 1965-12-06 Auditorium, New
–4 Folley Orleans, Louisiana

21 Henry Municipal
Win UD 12 1965-07-26
–3 Hank Auditorium, New
 Orleans, Louisiana

3
(10) Municipal
20 Chuck
Win TKO , 1965-05-24 Auditorium, New
–3 Leslie 2:5 Orleans, Louisiana
8

6
(10) Norfolk
19 Dave
Win TKO , 1965-03-21 Arena, Norfolk, Virgini
–3 Russell 1:3 a
0

2 Albuquerque
18 Bobby (10) Civic
Win KO 1965-02-15
–3 Rascon , Auditorium, Albuquerq
? ue, New Mexico

9
17 Henry Municipal
(10)
Win TKO 1964-12-11 Auditorium, Norfolk, Vi
–3 Hank ,
rginia
?

1
(10) Kezar
16 Norman
Win TKO , 1964-11-23 Pavilion, San
–3 Letcher 0:4 Francisco, California
3

1
(10)
15 Don
Win KO , 1964-11-11 Norfolk, Virginia
–3 Quinn 1:0
7

7
(10) Madison Square
14 Ernie
Loss TKO , 1964-07-10 Garden, New
–3 Terrell 0:5 York, New York
8

1
(10) Chicago
14 Allen
Win TKO , 1964-05-08 Coliseum, Chicago, Illi
–2 Thomas 1:2 nois
6

Miami Beach
1
13 Dave Convention
Win KO (6), 1964-02-25
–2 Bailey ?
Hall, Miami
Beach, Florida

3
12 Willi (10)
Win KO 1963-12-11 Norfolk, Virginia
–2 Besmanoff ,
?
 11 Mauro Estadio
Loss UD 10 1963-11-07
–2 Mina Nacional, Lima

4 Capitol
11 Curtis
Win KO (?), 1963-04-29 Arena, Washington,
–1 Bruce ? D.C.

1 Capitol
10 Richard
Win KO (8), 1963-02-18 Arena, Washington,
–1 Benjamin ? D.C.

8
(10) Madison Square
9– Doug
Loss TKO , 1962-10-20 Garden, New
1 Jones 0:2 York, New York
3

Sunnyside
9– Bert Garden,
Win SD 8 1962-06-27
0 Whitehurst Sunnyside, Queens, N
ew York,New York

2 St. Nicholas
8– Billy
Win TKO (6), 1962-05-19 Arena, New
0 Tisdale ? York, New York

4
7– Clarence Maple Leaf
(6),
Win KO
2:5
1961-12-04 Gardens, Toronto, Ont
0 Floyd ario
6

3
6– Ernie
Win TKO (6), 1961-11-21 Norfolk, Virginia
0 Knox ?

5– Floyd Delormier
Win PTS 6 1961-08-08 Stadium, Montreal, Qu
0 McCoy ebec

2
4– Ray Forum, Montreal,
Win TKO (6), 1961-06-22
0 Bryan ?
Quebec

3– Billy St. Nicholas

Win PTS 4 1961-05-08 Arena, New
0 Johnson York, New York

2– Clarence St. Nicholas

Win PTS 4 1961-04-03 Arena, New
0 Ryan York, New York

1– Duke 2 Capitol Arena, Professional

Win KO 1961-03-27
debut.
0 Williams (4), Washington, District of
? Columbia