Light Heavyweight Champion Bob Foster Dies at Age 77

Light Heavyweight Champion Bob Foster Dies at Age 77

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

Albuquerque, New Mexico (November 22, 2015)– Former World Light Heavyweight champion Bob Foster, who in his 17 year professional ring career enjoyed great success as a light heavyweight in the 175 pound division in the era after Archie Moore retired, but miserable failure against heavyweights, has died in his native Albuquerque, New Mexico, at age 77.

Foster did well in the upper weights, but failed against Doug Jones, Mauro Mina, Ernie Terrell, and Zora Folley. After watching what he termed the horrible WBA and WBC world light heavyweight title bout between Eddie Cotton and Jose Torres, Foster determined he could salvage his boxing career if he went down in weight. After knocking out Eddie Cotton in 1967, Foster knocked out Dick Tiger in 1968 to win the WBC and WBA World Light Heavyweight titles, which he defended 14 times. Foster tried again at heavyweight as well, getting knocking out by Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

Foster learn to box in the Air Force as an amateur, and was the all-Service champion three times. His amateur record was 97 wins and three losses. Foster’s professional career record as a boxer was 56 wins, eight losses and one draw, with 46 knockouts. He retired from the ring in 1978 at age 40, and became a Deputy Sheriff in Albuquerque.