Bob Foster: A Tribute to an All Time Great the Boxing World Lost, but Will Never Forget

 Loading ...

By Ian “The Boxing Historian” Murphy

On November 21st, the world lost one of it’s top all time fighters. Robert Lloyd Foster of Albuquerque, NM, died at age 76 in the hospital surrounded by his family. A ring warrior of the first degree, Foster held the Light Heavyweight title in his strong and able hands for the better part of six years, punctuated by vicious knockouts of such top fighters as Dick Tiger (whom he beat for the title in 1968), Mike Quarry, and Vicente Rondon. He made 14 defenses of his world title, and retired as champion in 1974. Bob returned a year later with mixed results and called it quits for good in 1978.

As a fighter, Foster was known for his tremendous power, especially in his sweeping scythe-like left hook, with crumpled opponents when it connected. He also possessed underrated boxing acumen and had a fantastic jab, which he used to great effect in setting up his huge left. At a towering 6’3, Foster (like Tommy Hearns after him) had incredible leverage and is considered one of the hardest punchers (regardless of weight class) in the history of the sport. Foster is a common consensus top-five LHW, with a very strong argument for being the best. His physical tools, immense power and gritty toughness would make him at worst even odds against the best in history.

After he retired from the ring, Foster became a sheriff in his native Albuquerque and developed a reputation as a strong and trusted man of the law. Despite this status, Foster really never felt he got the respect he deserved from his hometown. Perhaps in death, we can better appreciate the Sheriff and continue his memory as a good man and a great fighter.
He was also an inaugural inductee to the IBHOF in 1990, joining such greats as Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Willie Pep, among others. This is a testament to how much respect his contemporaries gave him as a fighter, and as a man.

[si-contact-form form=’2′]