Bob Foster (boxer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Foster
Foster c. 1972
Statistics
Real name	Robert Wayne Foster
Nickname(s)	The Deputy Sheriff
Rated at	Light heavyweight Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 3 in
Reach	79 in
Born	(1942-04-27)April 27, 1942 Borger, Texas, U.S.
Died	November 21, 2015(2015-11-21) (aged 73) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	65
Wins	56
Wins by KO	46
Losses	8
Draws	1
Medal record Representing  United States Men's boxing Pan American Games 1 Gold

Robert Wayne Foster (born April 27, 1942 – died November 21, 2015) was an American professional boxer. He was known for his powerful punches. He competed in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.

Bob Foster became a world champion in 1968. He won the world light heavyweight title from Dick Tiger. He defended his title 14 times. Many people consider him one of the greatest light heavyweight boxers ever. He was also named one of the 100 Greatest Punchers of all time by Ring magazine. In 1990, he was added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Start in Boxing

Bob Foster was born in Borger, Texas, on April 27, 1942. His family later moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He went to Albuquerque High School. After school, he joined the United States Air Force.

While in the Air Force, he started boxing. He competed in amateur fights like the Golden Gloves. He also boxed in matches for the Air Force. This helped him prepare for his professional career.

Professional Boxing Career

Bob Foster started his professional boxing journey on March 27, 1961. His first fight was against Duke Williams in Washington, D.C. Foster won by knockout in the second round.

Early in his career, he fought mostly on the East Coast of the United States and in Canada. He tried fighting in the heavyweight division a few times. His first loss was to Doug Jones in 1962. He was knocked out in the eighth round.

In 1963, he traveled to Peru. There, he lost a close fight to South American champion Mauro Mina. This was an important light heavyweight match for him.

Foster kept fighting and winning. In 1964, he tried the heavyweight division again. He lost to Ernie Terrell, who later became a world heavyweight champion. After this, Foster focused more on the light heavyweight division. He had several knockout wins that year. One big win was against Henry Hank, a former world title challenger. Foster knocked him out in the tenth round.

By 1967, Foster was a top-ranked light heavyweight boxer. He won all seven of his fights that year. Six of those wins were by knockout. He beat strong fighters like Eddie Cotton and Sonny Moore. After these wins, he became the number one challenger for the world light heavyweight title.

Becoming World Light Heavyweight Champion

In 1968, Bob Foster got his chance to fight for a world title. On May 24, at Madison Square Garden in New York, he faced Dick Tiger. Tiger was a two-time world middleweight champion. He was defending his light heavyweight title that night. Foster won the fight by knocking out Tiger in the fourth round. This made Bob Foster the new world light heavyweight champion.

After winning the title, Foster briefly moved back to heavyweight. He beat Charlie Polite by knockout. He ended 1968 by defeating Eddie Vick and Roger Rouse by knockout. Rouse would later challenge Foster for his world title.

In 1969, Foster had an amazing fight against Frank DePaula. Foster was knocked down in the first round. But he got back up and knocked out DePaula in the same round. This was a very rare event in a world title fight. He successfully defended his title again against Andy Kendall that year.

Challenges and Unification

In 1970, Foster again tried fighting as a heavyweight. He beat Roy Wallace by knockout. Then he returned to light heavyweight to defend his title against Roger Rouse. Foster knocked Rouse down five times before winning by knockout in the fourth round.

Later that year, Foster got a chance to fight for the world heavyweight title. He faced the champion, Joe Frazier, in Detroit. Frazier was a very strong heavyweight. Foster was knocked out in the second round.

After defending his light heavyweight title against Hal Carroll, the WBA took away his title. However, the WBC still recognized him as champion. Foster was upset by the WBA's decision. He continued to defend his WBC title. He beat challengers like Ray Anderson and Tommy Hicks.

On April 7, 1972, Foster fought Vicente Rondon in Miami. Rondon had won the WBA light heavyweight title. This fight was to unify the titles. Foster knocked out Rondon in the second round. This made Foster the undisputed world light heavyweight champion again.

In his next fight, he defended his title against Mike Quarry. Foster won by knockout in the fourth round. Many experts called his knockout punch one of the best ever.

Fighting Muhammad Ali and Apartheid Era Fights

On November 21, 1972, Bob Foster moved up in weight again. He faced the legendary Muhammad Ali. This fight was not for a world heavyweight title. It was for a regional title. Foster lost to Ali by knockout in the eighth round. He was knocked down seven times during the fight.

In 1973, Foster defended his light heavyweight title twice against Pierre Fourie. Both fights were won by Foster on points. Their second fight was very important. It took place in South Africa during the time of apartheid. Apartheid was a system where people were separated by race. Foster was Black, and Fourie was White.

Foster's fights in South Africa had a big social impact. He became a hero to Black South Africans by beating Fourie. The government had to change rules to allow a Black and White boxer to fight. Foster was asked not to make political statements. He said he liked the country and would return. Some Black South Africans felt he should have spoken out more against apartheid.

His last defense as world light heavyweight champion was in 1974. He fought Jorge Ahumada from Argentina. Foster was knocked down but managed to get a draw. After this fight, he announced his retirement. This left the light heavyweight title empty.

Foster returned to boxing briefly in 1975. He officially retired from the sport in 1978 at age 36.

Life After Boxing

In the mid-1970s, Bob Foster became a police officer. He worked for the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He later became a detective. He was well-known in the community as a policeman.

Personal Life

Bob Foster was married four times. His fourth wife was Rosetta Benjamin.

Bob Foster passed away on November 21, 2015. He was 73 years old. He died in a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

See also

• List of WBC world champions