BOB FOSTER THE GREATEST LIGHT HEAVY PERIOD!
Canastota, NY– When it comes to rating the greats who have fought at light heavyweight, you cannot omit the name of former World champion Bob Foster. There are boxing fans and historians alike who say Bob Foster was the best 175-pounder of all time.
EPIC KNOCKOUTS OF TIGER & QUARRY
The highlight of the Foster reign, in my view, was his chilling one-punch knockout of Mike Quarry in 1972. There was an almost deadly hush as the prone Quarry lay lifeless for more than five minutes. Others say the zenith of the “Albuquerque Thin Man’s” career was the left hook that defanged Dick Tiger in May 1968 and capturing the world light heavyweight championship in the process.
COULD NOT BEAT THE BEST HEAVYWEIGHT ERA
As a heavyweight, Foster proved too frail and failed to match the strength to match the behemoths like Ali, Frazier, etc., losing six times to bigger foes. Overall, Foster posted a log of 56-8, with 46 KOs including 14 title defenses with 11 challengers failing to go the 15-round distance. Standing close to 6’4 and wearing his age well, Foster still had the aura of a man brimming with self-confidence when I conducted this interview.
FOSTER HAMMERS SPINKS RIGHT OUT OF GATE
RT– Last night you said that Michael Spinks…FOSTER-(interrupting) was not a very good fighter. The best thing Spinks could present was an awkward style. And he didn’t beat Larry Holmes in either of those fights. I would have knocked Michael Spinks out. Period. And it would have been quite easy.
RT-Which punch was better, the one that you hit Dick Tiger away with or the one that drilled Mike Quarry? FOSTER-The Tiger hook was the more memorable because it gave me the title. But the shot that I hit Quarry with may have been the best shot I ever threw and landed. I looked down after he’d been down a while and thought this guy is dead. People were frantic until he came to. It’s a tough situation to be in. Were all celebrating, and hey, he ain’t moving. People say it bothered Mike’s brother Jerry Quarry who was going to fight Muhammad Ali in the main event. He saw it on TV in the dressing room. Nothing would have helped him, Ali was too good.
ALI TOOK BOB LIGHTLY AND PAID!
RT-Even though you lost to Ali, he said it was one of his toughest fights. FOSTER-I had him out on his feet and I didn’t know it. You could never tell whether he was hurt or acting.
RIVAL ARCHIE MOORE IN GRAZIANO’S AS WELL
RT-When you mention all-time great light heavys, besides you, people bring up Archie Moore (as I was conducting the interview, Moore is being toasted in an adjoining room). Archie told me on my radio show that there has never been a better light heavyweight than himself, and that he would have beaten you.
FOSTER-Archie didn’t say that, did he?
RT-Several times.
FOSTER-(He looks towards Moore, shakes his head, and winces one eye). He deserves to be mentioned as a great fighter, but when it comes to a fight between me and Archie Moore, he wouldn’t and couldn’t have hit me in the ass with a ping pong paddle. He was too short, didn’t have good handspeed and he couldnt match me for power. I would have knocked Archie out!
RT-Which light heavyweight could have beaten you? FOSTER-I don’t think there was ever a light heavyweight that had the skills I had. Combine that with height, the long hard fast jab and knockout power in both hands with my overall boxing ability, nobody.
FOSTER FACED GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT ERA EVER
RT-With smaller guys like Spinks and Evander Holyfield ruling the heavyweight division, what does that say about today’s big boys? And how come you couldn’t make the transition?
FOSTER-I never lifted weights and put on bulk like Spinks and Holyfield. And let’s be honest, the heavyweight division I attempted to get into was the best group of heavyweights of all time. With the exception of Mike Tyson, not one of these guys could have dealt with that era.,MHistory will prove it. Spinks, Moore, Billy Conn, none of those guys could’ve beaten me.
WHY RETIREMENT WAS SO SUDDEN
RT-Why did you get out? FOSTER-I didn’t like it anymore. Was no longer any fun, it was all business and B.S. There wasn’t the enjoyment in the time leading up to the last couple of fights. And I realized that before somebody caught me going through the motions and quite possibly getting hurt, I’d better get out. And, hey, I walked away on top. How many guys can say that?
FROM THE ARCHIVES OF FLASH MAGAZINE
This interview was conducted in June 1992 when Foster was 53 years old. We were in Graziano’s Restaurant, attending the 1992 International Boxing Hall of Fame induction Ceremony in Canastota, NY. Foster is still alive and well and living in Albuquerque, NM. This interview is from the August 20, 1992 issue of Flash magazine. Flash and its mother publication, Boxing Update magazine, were the boxing trade papers for 20+ years. We thank the publisher Virgil Thrasher for the exclusive and unfettered access www.RingTalk.com has been given to his archives.
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, TV commentator, radio talk show host, former San Francisco Policeman and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments regarding this submission can be left below under the advertising.
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BOB FOSTER THE BEST AT 175 LBS. “UNPLUGGED”