Page 31 - MIN VOS NOV 23, 2015
P. 31
A18
SPORTSMonday 23 November 2015
Bob Foster, former light heavyweight champion, dies at 76
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — In this Nov. 21, 1972, file photo, Bob Foster, left, connects with a left to Muhammad Ali during a round.
Bob Foster, the former light boxing bout in Stateline, Nev. Foster, who was named
heavyweight champion the third-greatest light
who fought Joe Frazier and Associated Press heavyweight ever by Ring
Muhammad Ali and went Magazine in 1994, made
on to become a sheriff’s round of their fight at Madi- title. The fight was a mis- again as a heavyweight, 14 successful title defenses
deputy, died Saturday. He son Square Garden. It was match, with Frazier stop- meeting Ali at a Lake Ta- before retiring as cham-
was 76. pion in 1974. He returned a
New Mexico state Rep. the only time Tiger was ping Foster at 49 seconds hoe casino. Again, Foster year later, finally retiring for
Antonio Maestas said in a good in 1978 after being
statement that Foster died knocked out in his career. of the second round. was overmatched, with Ali knocked out in his last two
at Presbyterian hospital fights.
in Albuquerque with wife Two years later, Foster Foster regained his knocking him down seven Foster was the Boxing Writ-
Rose and his family at his moved up to heavyweight 175-pound title in his next times before the fight was ers Association of America
side. to challenge Frazier for the fight, but in 1972 fought finally stopped in the eighth fighter of the year in 1968,
“His wife Rose Foster, his edging Frazier in a close
children, and Family thank vote. He was inducted in
you for your prayers and the International Boxing
support in this time of heal- Hall of Fame’s first class in
ing,” the statement said. 1990.
In Las Vegas before the While still boxing, Foster
Miguel Cotto-Canelo Al- began his career with the
varez fight, a 10-count was Bernalillo County Sheriff’s
tolled on the bell at Man- Department.
dalay Bay in honor of Fos- Born in Borger, Texas, Foster
ter. grew up in Albuquerque
Standing 6-foot-3, the big- and played football at Al-
punching Foster was 56-8-1 buquerque High. He served
with 46 knockouts. He won in the Air Force.
the light heavyweight title A public service and cel-
in 1968 when he stopped ebration of life will be held
Dick Tiger in the fourth in Albuquerque.q
