Buster Drayton: A Class Act All the Way

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Buster Drayton was born in Philadelphia on March 2, 1954. He is a former world champion and part of a JR Middleweight division that was absolutely burgeoning with talent in the 1980’s. Buster followed the boxing scene in Philadelphia closely as a youngster but did not take up the sport himself until he joined the United States Marines. There he enjoyed being part of a team that included Leon Spinks and Roger Stafford. Drayton didn’t have dreams of being a great fighter at that point. However, he was still good enough that the Marines encouraged him to participate in the United States Olympic trials.

Instead he returned to Philadelphia and engaged in gym wars with men such as Frank “The Animal” Fletcher. Drayton also became the chief sparring partner for Marvelous Marvin Hagler, who would ultimately become one of his biggest supporters, telling him he had the tools to be a champion. Buster, himself, turned pro in November 1978 with a four round draw against Charles “Harry” Carey. He won his next seven fights and, by October 1980, Drayton’s record was a promising 7-0-1, 5 KO’s. Unfortunately, his career hit a snag and Buster only won one of his next five fights.

Drayton then went on a three fight winning streak before losing a 10 round decision to future champion Lindell Holmes in March 1982. He rebounded one month later by scoring a 7th round stoppage over undefeated JR Middleweight contender Duane Thomas. Several months later, he lost back to back hometown decisions to future Middleweight champion Sumbu Kalambay and South African contender, Bushy Bester. Like his mentor, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Buster never shied away from tough competition.

In May 1983, Drayton scored his biggest victory to date, destroying former US Olympian Clint Jackson in two rounds. By now, Buster was a serious contender in the JR Middleweight division. However, his ups and downs continued as he suffered consecutive losses to Mario Maldonado and Fred Hutchings. In May 1984, Drayton responded in the face of adversity once again, stopping promising British Middleweight contender Mark Kaylor in 7 rounds. The following year, in April 1985, Buster lost by a razor thin margin to hot Middleweight contender James Kinchen.

After the Kinchen loss, Buster went on a four fight winning streak earning him a title opportunity against IBF JR Middleweight champion Carlos Santos in June 1986. Santos was a crafty southpaw who had previous gone the distance with Wilfred Benitez and won the title with a decision victory over Mark Medal in November 1984. With Marvelous Marvin Hagler watching from ringside, Drayton captured the title, winning a convincing 15 round decision. Hagler had been proven correct in his prediction that Buster would eventually become a world champion.

In his very first defense, Drayton scored another outstanding victory, stopping former champion Davey Moore in 10 rounds. In March 1987, Buster defended for the second time with a 10th round stoppage victory over Said Skouma. Next Drayton faced undefeated Matthew Hilton in the challenger’s hometown of Montreal. Buster lost the title by a 15 round unanimous decision. His title reign had lasted only one year.

Drayton would receive another title opportunity, challenging WBA JR Middleweight champion power puncher, Julian Jackson, in July 1988. For one of the few times in his career, Buster was woefully overmatched, losing by a third round stoppage. In his next fight, Drayton faced future champion and hall of famer Terry Norris, losing by a 12 round unanimous decision. Buster won 7 of his next 9 fights but was finished as a serious contender for all intents and purposes. Drayton’s final fight was a 12 round decision loss to Derrick “Poppy” Rolon in June 1995. At age 41, Buster was convinced by his daughter to retire after the fight. His final career record was 40-15-1, 28 KO’s and one no contest.

Buster Drayton’s legacy is one of a tough, durable former champion who would travel anywhere, anytime and would take on anyone. He fought in 15 different states and 5 countries during the course of his 17 year career. Buster is also unique in the humility with which he has always conducted himself. He went on to become a Philadelphia police officer and has successfully raised seven children. He won’t go down in history as an all-time great but will go down as someone who was a tremendous credit to the sport of boxing.