Bob Foster
"The Deputy Sheriff"
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- Birth Name: Bobby Wayne Foster
- Birth Place: Contribute
- Born: April 27, 1942
- Died: Contribute
- Age: 82
- Height: 6′ 3″
- Weight: Contribute
- Reach: 79″
- Stance: Orthodox
- Pro Debut: March 27, 1961
- Nationality: USA
- Status: Inactive
- Manager: Contribute
- Promoter: Contribute
- Total Bouts: 65
- Total Rounds: 352
Bob Foster was an American professional boxer who enjoyed a career spanning over 17 years from 1961 to 1978. He started his career at the age of 18, having his first professional fight against Duke Williams, whom he defeated via a 2nd round KO. Foster then went on to win 8 more consecutive fights that included 4 wins via stoppage. After his long and successful career, Bob Foster retired with an admirable record of 56-8-1, which included 46 knockout victories and 6 defeats via knockout.
Foster was a four-time world titleholder in his career where he won the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), and The Ring light-heavyweight world titles. He had a total of 65 fights and had some of the best wins in his 56 victories. His four world title wins and 13 title defenses against some of the biggest names in boxing have cemented his name in boxing history as a true legend.
On May 24, 1968, Bob Foster had his first world-title fight against Dick Tiger for the light-heavyweight WBA, WBC, and The Ring titles. The fight was scheduled for 15 rounds, but Foster put an end to the fight in the 4th round with a KO win. This victory against Tiger made Foster the new undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world.
Bob Foster's incredible talent and punching power allowed him to enjoy a long reign as a light-heavyweight champion. He successfully defended his titles against some of the biggest names in boxing during his time, including Hal Carroll, Brian Kelly, and Roger Rouse. Among his notable victories included a particularly impressive win over Hall-of-Famer Dick Tiger.
Foster had a distinctive fighting style that helped him become one of the greatest boxing champions of all time. He was known for his fighting style that focused heavily on the left jab and his ability to end fights with one punch. He was also recognized for his exceptional footwork and ring generalship, which helped him stay in control of the fight. It was due to these specific traits that Foster was able to dominate in the ring and terminate fights with one powerful punch.
Foster won his second world title on April 7, 1972, after defeating Vicente Rondón in a 2nd round KO. This win allowed him to become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion, obtaining the WBA, WBC, and The Ring light-heavyweight world-champion belts. His reign as the light-heavyweight champion continued, and he successfully defended his title against the likes of Mike Quarry, Andy Kendall, and Frank DePaula.
Bob Foster was greatly admired and respected by his fans for his exceptional ring performances which earned him the reputation of one of the best fighters to ever grace the light-heavyweight division. His fights were widely watched and were known to be fast-paced and full of action, leaving his fans at the edge of their seats.
While he had several remarkable wins and defenses, Foster also suffered some losses during his career. He had a total of 8 losses, including one in a title bout against Joe Frazier. He suffered six losses via knockout and two defeats via decision. His first loss was to Doug Jones via 8th round TKO on October 20, 1962. More details about his losses can be found in “All of Bob Foster’s losses.”
Bob Foster retired from professional boxing at the age of 36, having his final fight on June 2, 1978, against Bob Hazelton. Unfortunately, Foster lost the non-title rematch via a 2nd round TKO. However, despite his last loss, he left behind an impressive legacy that continues to inspire up-and-coming boxers today.
Bob Foster's legacy lives on as one of the greatest light-heavyweight champions in boxing history. His outstanding performances in the ring have earned him deserved recognition, and he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He will forever be remembered for his exceptional talent, undeniable power, and impressive career as one of the greatest boxers in history.
Bob Foster Fight Record
# | Date | Age | Opponent | Result | Via |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
65 | Jun 2, 1978 | 36 | Bob Hazelton | Loss | TKO2 |
64 | Feb 9, 1978 | 35 | Mustafa Wassaja | Loss | RTD5 |
63 | Sep 2, 1977 | 35 | Bob Hazelton | Win | KO10 |
62 | Sep 25, 1976 | 34 | Al Bolden | Win | KO6 |
61 | Aug 28, 1976 | 34 | Harold Carter | Win | UD |
60 | May 8, 1976 | 34 | Al Bolden | Win | KO3 |
59 | Jun 28, 1975 | 33 | Bill Hardney | Win | KO3 |
58 | Jun 17, 1974 | 32 | Jorge Ahumada | Draw | SD |
57 | Dec 1, 1973 | 31 | Pierre Fourie | Win | UD |
56 | Aug 21, 1973 | 31 | Pierre Fourie | Win | UD |
55 | Nov 21, 1972 | 30 | Muhammad Ali | Loss | KO8 |
54 | Sep 26, 1972 | 30 | Chris Finnegan | Win | KO14 |
53 | Jun 27, 1972 | 30 | Mike Quarry | Win | KO4 |
52 | Apr 7, 1972 | 29 | Vicente Rondón | Win ⭐️ | KO2 |
51 | Dec 16, 1971 | 29 | Brian Kelly | Win | TKO3 |
50 | Oct 30, 1971 | 29 | Tommy Hicks | Win | TKO8 |
49 | Aug 17, 1971 | 29 | Vernon McIntosh | Win | TKO3 |
48 | Apr 24, 1971 | 28 | Ray Anderson | Win | UD |
47 | Mar 2, 1971 | 28 | Hal Carroll | Win | TKO4 |
46 | Nov 18, 1970 | 28 | Joe Frazier | Loss | KO2 |
45 | Jun 27, 1970 | 28 | Mark Tessman | Win | TKO10 |
44 | Apr 4, 1970 | 27 | Roger Rouse | Win | TKO4 |
43 | Mar 9, 1970 | 27 | Roy Wallace | Win | KO6 |
42 | Feb 24, 1970 | 27 | Bill Hardney | Win | TKO4 |
41 | Nov 2, 1969 | 27 | Chuck Leslie | Win | TKO5 |
40 | Jun 19, 1969 | 27 | Levan Roundtree | Win | TKO4 |
39 | May 24, 1969 | 27 | Andy Kendall | Win | TKO4 |
38 | Jan 22, 1969 | 26 | Frank DePaula | Win | TKO1 |
37 | Sep 9, 1968 | 26 | Roger Rouse | Win | TKO5 |
36 | Aug 26, 1968 | 26 | Eddie Vick | Win | TKO9 |
35 | Jul 29, 1968 | 26 | Charley Polite | Win | TKO3 |
34 | May 24, 1968 | 26 | Dick Tiger | Win ⭐️ | KO4 |
33 | Dec 5, 1967 | 25 | Sonny Moore | Win | KO5 |
32 | Nov 20, 1967 | 25 | Eddie Vick | Win | UD |
31 | Oct 25, 1967 | 25 | Levan Roundtree | Win | KO8 |
30 | Jun 9, 1967 | 25 | Henry Matthews | Win | TKO2 |
29 | May 8, 1967 | 25 | Eddie Cotton | Win | KO3 |
28 | Feb 27, 1967 | 24 | Andres Antonio Selpa | Win | KO2 |
27 | Jan 16, 1967 | 24 | Jim Robinson | Win | KO1 |
26 | Dec 6, 1966 | 24 | LeRoy Green | Win | KO2 |
25 | Dec 6, 1965 | 23 | Zora Folley | Loss | UD |
24 | Jul 26, 1965 | 23 | Henry Hank | Win | UD |
23 | May 24, 1965 | 23 | Chuck Leslie | Win | TKO3 |
22 | Mar 21, 1965 | 22 | Dave Russell | Win | TKO6 |
21 | Feb 15, 1965 | 22 | Bobby Rascon | Win | KO2 |
20 | Dec 11, 1964 | 22 | Henry Hank | Win | TKO9 |
19 | Nov 23, 1964 | 22 | Norman Letcher | Win | TKO1 |
18 | Nov 11, 1964 | 22 | Don Quinn | Win | KO1 |
17 | Jul 10, 1964 | 22 | Ernie Terrell | Loss | TKO7 |
16 | May 8, 1964 | 22 | Allen Thomas | Win | TKO1 |
15 | Feb 25, 1964 | 21 | Dave Bailey | Win | KO1 |
14 | Dec 11, 1963 | 21 | Willi Besmanoff | Win | KO3 |
13 | Nov 7, 1963 | 21 | Mauro Mina | Loss | UD |
12 | Apr 29, 1963 | 21 | Curtis Bruce | Win | KO4 |
11 | Feb 18, 1963 | 20 | Richard Benjamin | Win | KO1 |
10 | Oct 20, 1962 | 20 | Doug Jones | Loss | TKO8 |
9 | Jun 27, 1962 | 20 | Bert Whitehurst | Win | SD |
8 | May 19, 1962 | 20 | Billy Tisdale | Win | TKO2 |
7 | Dec 4, 1961 | 19 | Clarence Floyd | Win | KO4 |
6 | Nov 21, 1961 | 19 | Ernie Knox | Win | TKO3 |
5 | Aug 8, 1961 | 19 | Floyd McCoy | Win | PTS |
4 | Jun 22, 1961 | 19 | Ray Bryan | Win | TKO2 |
3 | May 8, 1961 | 19 | Billy Johnson | Win | PTS |
2 | Apr 3, 1961 | 18 | Clarence Ryan | Win | PTS |
1 | Mar 27, 1961 | 18 | Duke Williams | Win | KO2 |