View source for Bob Foster (boxer)

{{short description|American boxer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox boxer
| name = Bob Foster
| image = Bob Foster 1972.jpg
| caption = Foster c. 1972
| realname = Robert Wayne Foster
| nickname = The Deputy Sheriff
| weight = {{plainlist|
*[[Light heavyweight]]
*[[Heavyweight]]
}}
| height = 6 ft 3 in
| reach = 79 in<ref>{{cite web | url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/9000 | title=BoxRec: Login }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1942|4|27}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/foster.htm|title=Cyber Boxing Zone -- Bob Foster}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Borger, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age |2015|11|21|1942|4|27}}
| death_place = [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], U.S.
| style = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| total = 65
| wins = 56
| KO = 46
| losses = 8
| draws = 1
| medaltemplates = 
{{MedalSport | Men's [[amateur boxing]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1959 Pan American Games|1959 Chicago]] | [[Boxing at the 1959 Pan American Games|Middleweight]]}}
}}

'''Robert Wayne Foster'''<ref name="britannica.com">Entry for Foster in the 'Encyclopedia Britannica' https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Foster</ref> (April 27, 1942 – November 21, 2015) was an  American [[professional boxer]] who fought as a [[light heavyweight]] and [[heavyweight]]. He won the world light heavyweight title from [[Dick Tiger]] in 1968 via fourth-round knockout, and went on to defend the title fourteen times against thirteen different fighters in total from 1968 to 1974. Foster challenged [[Joe Frazier]] and [[Muhammad Ali]] during his career, but was knocked out by both (the fight with Frazier being for the WBA, WBC and ''The Ring'' world heavyweight titles). He was named to ''Ring''{{'}}s list of 100 Greatest Punchers of all time.  He was also named to ''Ring''{{'}}s list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years, ranking at No. 55. He was inducted into the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]] in the inaugural class of 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/04/07/Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-names-first-inductees/6244639460800/|title=Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees}}</ref>

==Early life==
Foster was born at [[Borger, Texas]] on April 27, 1942. In his childhood years his family moved to Albuquerque in [[New Mexico]], and he received his formal education at Albuquerque High School. Upon leaving school he enlisted with the [[United States Air Force]], in which he served with the [[United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia|rank]] of Airman Second Class.<ref>Obituary for Bob Foster, 'Daily Telegraph', December 4, 2015.</ref> He began boxing on the [[Golden Gloves]] amateur circuit, and also took part in competitive inter-service matches for the U.S. Air Force.<ref name="britannica.com"/>

==Boxing career==
Foster started his professional career on the night of March 27, 1961, against Duke Williams, in [[Washington, D.C.]], winning by [[knockout]] in two rounds. The first 12 bouts of his career were spent campaigning in the United States' Eastern coast and in Canada. In his tenth bout, he made his first of multiple forays into the heavyweight division, and suffered his first loss, at the hands of  [[Doug Jones (boxer)|Doug Jones]], by a knockout in the eighth round.

After two more wins, he went in 1963 to [[Peru]], where he lost to South American champion [[Mauro Mina]] by a decision in ten rounds at [[Lima, Peru|Lima]]. This was his first major Light Heavyweight bout, but it wouldn't be his last.

Three more fights back in the States resulted in quick knockout wins for him, and then, in 1964, he made his second attempt at entering the heavyweight rankings, being knocked out in the seventh by future world Heavyweight champion [[Ernie Terrell]]. He finished the year by posting three more knockout wins at Light Heavyweight, two of them in the month of November. The night of November 11 was Foster's first win of note as a light-heavyweight. One month after knocking out Don Quinn  in the first round, he stepped up in the ring again and faced former world title challenger Henry Hank. He beat Hank by a knockout in the tenth.

In 1965, he had five fights, winning four and losing one. He beat Hank again, by decision in 12 rounds, and lost to [[Zora Folley]], by a decision in ten rounds, in another attempt at joining the heavyweight top ten.

In 1966 he defeated Leroy Green in two rounds.

By 1967, Foster, although his attempts to become a top heavyweight were being frustrated, was a ranked light heavyweight. He decided to stick to the light-heavyweight division for the time being, and he won all seven of his fights, six by knockout. Among the fighters he beat were [[Eddie Cotton]], Eddie Vick, and Sonny Moore. After defeating Moore, Foster became the world's number one ranked light heavyweight challenger.

===World light-heavyweight champion===
In 1968, Foster got his first shot at a world title. At [[Madison Square Garden]] in [[New York, New York|New York]], on the night of March 24, Foster became world champion by knocking out [[Dick Tiger]] in four rounds. Tiger had been a two-time world middleweight champion and was defending his world light heavyweight crown that night. Foster then decided to box at heavyweight once again, and beat Charlie Polite by a knockout in three. He ended that year defeating Vick again, and his future world title challenger [[Roger Rouse]], both by a knockout.

In 1969, he began by rising off the canvas to knock out [[Frankie DePaula|Frank DePaula]] in the same first round and retain his belt. It is believed that was the first time ever a boxer won a world title fight in the first round after being floored in that same round.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} It is also believed that that fight is one of only three times that's happened...{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} the second time being in 1984, when [[Juan Meza]] rose off a knockdown to dethrone world Jr. Featherweight champion [[Jaime Garza (boxer)|Jaime Garza]] in the same first round too. It also happened in the 21st century, when Kendall Holt was dropped twice, only to knockout Ricardo Torres in round 1, for the WBO 140&nbsp;lb title.

Foster's next fight in 1969 was against Andy Kendall, whom he beat in four rounds by knockout, to once again retain the crown. He closed the 1960s with two more knockout wins.

===Frazier vs Foster===
In 1970, Foster made two more trips to the heavyweights. In the first, he beat fringe contender Lee Wallace in six rounds by knockout. This was followed by a return to the light-heavyweight division to defend his title against Rouse. Infuriated by some comments that Rouse's manager had made before the bout concerning the fact that even though Foster knocked out Rouse in their first bout he was not able to drop him, Foster dropped Rouse five times en route to a fourth-round knockout victory. A knockout in 10 to retain the title against Mark Tessman followed, and then he was given the chance to challenge for the world heavyweight title. Facing world champion [[Joe Frazier]] on the night of November 18 in [[Detroit]], he was knocked out in two rounds.

After defeating Hal Carroll by a knockout in four rounds to defend his crown, the [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] stripped him of the title, but he was still recognized by the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] as a champion. Foster became enraged at the WBA, which proceeded to have [[Vicente Rondon]] of [[Venezuela]] and [[Jimmy Dupree]] fight for the world title. Rondon won, becoming the second [[Latin American]] world light-heavyweight champion (after [[José Torres (boxer)|José Torres]]), and Foster set his eyes on him. Foster went on defending his WBC title, and he defeated challengers [[Ray Anderson (Boxer)|Ray Anderson]], [[Tommy Hicks]], and [[Brian Kelly (boxer)|Brian Kelly]]. Of those three, it was Anderson who was the only one to last the 15 round distance with Foster.

===Ali vs Foster===
Foster and Rondon met in [[Miami]] on April 7, 1972, in a unification bout. Foster became the undisputed world champion once again, by knocking Rondon out in the second round. In his next fight, he used what many critics have called one of the best punches in history to retain his title by a knockout in four against [[Mike Quarry]]. Foster then went up in weight and faced former and future world heavyweight champion [[Muhammad Ali]], on November 21, 1972, in what was legendary referee [[Mills Lane]]'s first bout of note as a referee. Foster lost to Ali by a knockout in the eighth, after being knocked down 7 times.

In 1973, Foster retained his title twice against [[Pierre Fourie]], both by decision. Their second fight had a distinct social impact because it was fought in [[apartheid]]-ruled [[South Africa]], Foster being Black and Fourie being White. Foster became a hero to South African Blacks by beating Fourie the first time around, and in their rematch, the first boxing fight in South Africa during apartheid featuring a White versus a Black, he cemented that position by defeating Fourie on points again.

Piet Koornhoff was the South African Minister of Sport at that time and he had to be persuaded to allow the fight. He had to amend the regulations relating to the prohibition of "mixed sport" in order to do so. Foster was allowed into the country on condition that he refrain from making any political comments or speeches. In a post fight interview he diplomatically responded to a question that he liked the country and would be willing to come back again. This explains the sentiment of [[Mark Mathabane]] as noted in his [[autobiography]] ''[[Kaffir Boy]]'', that South Africa's black population felt betrayed by Foster since he did not address apartheid during his time in South Africa.

His last defense as world light-heavyweight champion came in 1974, when he was dropped by [[Argentina|Argentinian]] [[Jorge Ahumada]], but managed to keep the title with a draw. After that, he announced his retirement, leaving the world's light-heavyweight championship vacant.<ref>{{cite news|title=Foster Keeps Title on Draw|date=June 18, 1974|access-date=January 13, 2010|publisher=St. Petersburg Times|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=scYNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SXMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5922,2878802&dq=jorge+ahumada+foster&hl=en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721224451/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=scYNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SXMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5922,2878802&dq=jorge+ahumada+foster&hl=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 21, 2012}}</ref>

Foster returned to boxing in 1975, before retiring from the sport in 1978 at the age of 36.

==Post-boxing life==
In the mid-1970s Foster became a police officer with the [[Bernalillo]] County Sheriff's Department, later becoming a detective and a well known policeman in [[Albuquerque]], [[New Mexico]].<ref name=obit>Goldsmith, Alex (November 21, 2015) [https://archive.today/20151123010143/http://krqe.com/2015/11/21/champion-boxer-bcso-deputy-bob-foster-dead-at-77/ Champion boxer, BCSO deputy Bob Foster dead at 77]. krqe.com</ref>

==Personal life==
He married Pearl with whom he had four children. He divorced then married Sue. He had a child named Nelson. Foster married Patricia Saiz in 1982. Her death in 1984 was ruled a suicide. His fourth wife was Rosetta Benjamin.

Foster died at the age of 73 on November 21, 2015, in a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.<ref name=obit />

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=1
|ko-wins=46
|ko-losses=6
|dec-losses=2
|dec-wins=10
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|- align=center
|65
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{nowrap|56–8–1}}
|align=left|Bob Hazelton
|TKO
|2 (10)
|Jun 2, 1978
|align=left|{{small|[[Century II Convention Hall]], [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], [[Kansas]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|64
|{{no2}}Loss
|56–7–1
|align=left|Mustafa Wassaja
|RTD
|5 (8)
|Feb 9, 1978
|align=left|{{small|[[K.B. Hallen]], [[Copenhagen]], Denmark}}
|
|- align=center
|63
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–6–1
|align=left| Bob Hazelton
|KO
|10 (10), {{small|0:22}}
|Sep 2, 1977
|align=left|{{small|[[Willemstad]], [[Curaçao]], [[Netherlands Antilles]]}}
|
|- align=center
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–6–1
|align=left|Al Bolden
|KO
|6 (10)
|Sep 25, 1976
|align=left|{{small| [[Spokane Coliseum]], [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|61
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–6–1
|align=left|Harold Carter
|UD
|10
|Aug 28, 1976
|align=left|{{small|Eagles Aerie, Missoula, Montana, U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–6–1
|align=left| Al Bolden
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:53}}
|May 8, 1976
|align=left|{{small|Adams Field House, Missoula, Montana, U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|59
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–6–1
|align=left|Bill Hardney
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|1:26}}
|Jun 28, 1975
|align=left|{{small|Sweeney Gym, [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]], [[New Mexico]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|58
|{{draw}}Draw
|51–6–1
|align=left| [[Jorge Ahumada]]
|SD
|15
|Jun 17, 1974
|align=left|{{small|[[The Pit (arena)|University Arena]], Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|57
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–6
|align=left|Pierre Fourie
|UD
|15
|Dec 1, 1973
|align=left|{{small|[[Rand Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]], [[Transvaal Province|Transvaal]]x South Africa}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|56
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–6
|align=left|[[Pierre Fourie]]
|UD
|15
|Aug 21, 1973
|align=left|{{small|[[The Pit (arena)|University Arena]], [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]], [[New Mexico]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|55
|{{no2}}Loss
|49–6
|align=left|[[Muhammad Ali]]
|KO
|8 (12), {{small|0:40}}
|[[Muhammad Ali vs. Bob Foster|Nov 21, 1972]]
|align=left|{{small|Sahara Tahoe Hotel, [[Stateline, Nevada|Stateline]], [[Nevada]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For [[List of NABF champions#Heavyweight|WBC-NABF heavyweight title]]}}
|- align=center
|54
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–5
|align=left|[[Chris Finnegan]]
|KO
|14 (15), {{small|0:55}}
|Sep 26, 1972
|align=left|{{small|[[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London|Wembley]], [[London]], England}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–5
|align=left|[[Mike Quarry]]
|KO
|4 (15), {{small|3:00}}
|Jun 27, 1972
|align=left|{{small|[[Las Vegas Convention Center]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|52
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–5
|align=left| [[Vicente Rondón]]
|KO
|2 (15), {{small|2:55}}
|Apr 7, 1972
|align=left|{{small|[[Miami Beach Convention Hall]], Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles;<br>Won WBA light heavyweight title}}
|- align=center
|51
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–5
|align=left| [[Brian Kelly (boxer)|Brian Kelly]]
|TKO
|3 (15), {{small|1:56}}
|Dec 16, 1971
|align=left|{{small|[[Fairgrounds Arena]], [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]], [[Oklahoma]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|50
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–5
|align=left|[[Tommy Hicks]]
|TKO
|8 (15)
|Oct 30, 1971
|align=left|{{small|Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–5
|align=left|Vernon McIntosh
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|0:37}}
|Aug 17, 1971
|align=left|{{small|Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–5
|align=left|[[Ray Anderson (boxer)|Ray Anderson]]
|UD
|15
|Apr 24, 1971
|align=left|{{small|[[Curtis Hixon Hall]], Tampa, Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–5
|align=left|Hal Carroll
|TKO
||4 (15), {{small|2:32}}
|Mar 2, 1971
|align=left|{{small| Catholic Youth Center, [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBC and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|46
|{{no2}}Loss
|41–5
|align=left| [[Joe Frazier]]
|KO
|2 (15), {{small|0:49}}
|Nov 18, 1970
|align=left|{{small|[[Cobo Arena]], [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], [[Michigan]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|WBA]], [[list of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC]], and [[List of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight titles]]}}
|- align=center
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–4
|align=left|Mark Tessman
|TKO
|10 (15), {{small|2:00}}
|Jun 27, 1970
|align=left|{{small|[[Baltimore Civic Center]], [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–4
|align=left|[[Roger Rouse]]
|RTD
|3 (15), {{small|3:00}}
|Apr 4, 1970
|align=left|{{small|Adams Field House, [[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]], [[Montana]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–4
|align=left|Roy Wallace
|KO
|6 (10)
|Mar 9, 1970
|align=left|{{small|[[Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory]], [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–4
|align=left|Bill Hardney
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Feb 24, 1970
|align=left|{{small|[[Orlando Sports Stadium]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], [[Florida]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–4
|align=left| Chuck Leslie
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|2:58}}
|Nov 2, 1969
|align=left|{{small|[[New Orleans Municipal Auditorium]], [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–4
|align=left|Levan Roundtree	
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:10}}
|Jun 19, 1969
|align=left|{{small|[[Atlanta Municipal Auditorium]], [[Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–4
|align=left|Andy Kendall
|TKO
|4 (15), {{small|1:15}}
|May 24, 1969
|align=left|{{small|Eastern States Coliseum, West Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. }}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–4
|align=left| [[Frankie DePaula|Frank DePaula]]
|TKO
|1 (15), {{small|2:17}}
|Jan 22, 1969
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WBA, WBC, and ''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles}}
|- align=center
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–4
|align=left|[[Roger Rouse]]
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|2:34}}
|Sep 9, 1968
|align=left|{{small|Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–4
|align=left|Eddie Vick
|TKO
|9 (10)
|Aug 26, 1968
|align=left|{{small|[[Tingley Coliseum]], [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]], [[New Mexico]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–4
|align=left|Charley Polite
|TKO
|3 (10)
|Jul 29, 1968
|align=left|{{small|[[Eastern States Coliseum]], [[West Springfield, Massachusetts|West Springfield]], [[Massachusetts]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–4
|align=left|[[Dick Tiger]]
|KO
|4 (15), {{small|2:05}}
|May 24, 1968
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[List of WBA world champions#Light heavyweight|WBA]], [[List of WBC world champions#Light heavyweight|WBC]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Light heavyweight|''The Ring'' light heavyweight titles]]}}
|- align=center
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–4
|align=left|Sonny Moore	
|KO
|5 (10)
|Dec 5, 1967
|align=left|{{small|Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–4
|align=left| Eddie Vick		
|UD
|10
|Nov 20, 1967
|align=left|{{small|Providence Coliseum, [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]], [[Rhode Island]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–4
|align=left|Levan Roundtree		
|KO
|8 (10), {{small|1:35}}
|Oct 25, 1967
|align=left|{{small|Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–4
|align=left|Henry Matthews	
|TKO
|2 (10)
|Jun 9, 1967
|align=left|{{small|Starland Arena, [[Roanoke, Virginia]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–4
|align=left|Eddie Cotton
|KO
|3 (12), {{small|1:58}}
|May 8, 1967
|align=left|{{small| Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–4
|align=left| Andres Antonio Selpa
|KO
||2 (10), {{small|2:30}}
|Feb 27, 1967
|align=left|{{small|Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–4
|align=left| Jim Robinson
|KO
|1 (10)
|Jan 16, 1967
|align=left|{{small|[[Washington Coliseum]], Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–4

|align=left|LeRoy Green
|KO
|2 (?)
|Dec 6, 1966
|align=left|{{small| Norfolk Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|25
|{{no2}}Loss
|21–4
|align=left|[[Zora Folley]]
|UD
|10
|Dec 6, 1965
|align=left|{{small|Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–3
|align=left|Henry Hank
|UD
|12
|Jul 26, 1965
|align=left|{{small|Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–3
|align=left| Chuck Leslie
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|2:58}}
|May 24, 1965
|align=left|{{small|[[Municipal Auditorium (New Orleans)|Municipal Auditorium]], [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–3
|align=left|Dave Russell
|TKO
|6 (10), {{small|1:30}}
|Mar 21, 1965
|align=left|{{small|Norfolk Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–3
|align=left|Bobby Rascon
|KO
|2 (10)
|Feb 15, 1965
|align=left|{{small|[[Albuquerque Civic Auditorium]], [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]], [[New Mexico]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–3
|align=left| Henry Hank
|TKO
|9 (10)
|Dec 11, 1964
|align=left|{{small|[[Norfolk Municipal Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]], Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–3
|align=left|Norman Letcher
|TKO
||1 (10), {{small|0:43}}
|Nov 23, 1964
|align=left|{{small|[[Kezar Pavilion]], [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], [[California]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–3
|align=left| Don Quinn
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|1:07}}
|Nov 11, 1964
|align=left|{{small| Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|17
|{{no2}}Loss
|14–3
|align=left|[[Ernie Terrell]]
|TKO
|7 (10), {{small|0:58}}
|Jul 10, 1964
|align=left|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–2
|align=left| Allen Thomas
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|1:26}}
|May 8, 1964
|align=left|{{small| [[Chicago Coliseum]], [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–2
|align=left|Dave Bailey
|KO
|1 (6)
|Feb 25, 1964
|align=left|{{small| [[Miami Beach Convention Hall]], [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]], [[Florida]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–2
|align=left| [[Willi Besmanoff]]
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:55}}
|Dec 11, 1963
|align=left|{{small|Arena, [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], [[Virginia]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|13
|{{no2}}Loss
|11–2
|align=left|[[Mauro Mina]]
|UD
|10
|Nov 7, 1963
|align=left|{{small|[[Estadio Nacional (Lima)|Estadio Nacional]], [[Lima, Peru|Lima]], Peru}}
|
|- align=center
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–1
|align=left|Curtis Bruce
|KO
|4 (8), {{small|2:33}}
|Apr 29, 1963
|align=left|{{small|Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–1
|align=left|Richard Benjamin
|KO
|1 (8), {{small|0:47}}
|Feb 18, 1963
|align=left|{{small|[[Turner's Arena|Capitol Arena]], [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|10
|{{no2}}Loss
|9–1
|align=left|[[Doug Jones (boxer)|Doug Jones]]
|TKO
|8 (10), {{small|0:23}}
|Oct 20, 1962
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|align=left| Bert Whitehurst 
|SD
|8
|Jun 27, 1962
|align=left|{{small|[[Sunnyside Garden Arena]], New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|align=left|Billy Tisdale
|TKO
|2 (6)
|[[Cassius Clay vs. Billy Daniels|May 19, 1962]]
|align=left|{{small| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|align=left|Clarence Floyd
|KO
|4 (6), {{small|2:56}}
|Dec 4, 1961
|align=left|{{small|[[Maple Leaf Gardens]], [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|align=left|Ernie Knox
|TKO
|3 (6)
|Nov 21, 1961
|align=left|{{small|[[Norfolk, Virginia]], U.S.}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|align=left| Floyd McCoy
|PTS
|6
|Aug 8, 1961
|align=left|{{small|[[Delormier Stadium]], Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|align=left|Ray Bryan
|TKO
|2 (6)
|Jun 22, 1961
|align=left|{{small|[[Montreal Forum|Forum]], [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada}}
|align=left|
|- align=center
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|align=left| Billy Johnson
|PTS
|4
|May 8, 1961
|align=left|{{small|St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|align=left|Clarence Ryan
|PTS
|4
|Apr 3, 1961
|align=left|{{small|[[St. Nicholas Arena]], [[New York, New York|New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.}}
|
|- align=center
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|align=left|Duke Williams
|KO
|2 (5), {{small|2:03}}
|Mar 27, 1961
|align=left|{{small|[[Turner's Arena|Capitol Arena]], Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.}}
|
|}

==Titles in boxing==
===Major world titles===
* [[list of WBA world champions#Light heavyweight|WBA light heavyweight champion]] (175&nbsp;lbs) (2×)
* [[list of WBC world champions#Light heavyweight|WBC light heavyweight champion]] (175&nbsp;lbs)

===''The Ring'' magazine titles===
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Light heavyweight|''The Ring'' light heavyweight champion]] (175&nbsp;lbs)

===Undisputed titles===
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Light heavyweight|Undisputed light heavyweight champion]] (2×)

==See also==

*[[List of WBC world champions]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Boxrec|id=009000|name=Bob Foster}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061125101522/http://www.newmexicoboxing.com/history_newmexico_boxing/bobfoster.html New Mexico Boxing, the Bob Foster story]
*http://www.bobfosterboxing.net
*[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/foster.htm Bob Foster - CBZ Profile]

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|rows=4| before = [[Dick Tiger]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Light heavyweight|WBA light heavyweight champion]]
| years  = May 24, 1968 – December 9, 1970<br />Stripped }}
{{s-vac|next= [[Vicente Rondón]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title= [[List of WBC world champions#Light heavyweight|WBC light heavyweight champion]]
|years= May 24, 1968 – September 16, 1974<br />Retired }}
{{s-vac| next= [[John Conteh]] }}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of The Ring world champions#Light heavyweight|''The Ring'' light heavyweight champion]]
|years=May 24, 1968 – September 16, 1974<br>Retired}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Matthew Saad Muhammad]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed world boxing champions#Light heavyweight|Undisputed light heavyweight champion]]
|years=May 24, 1968 – December 9, 1970<br />Titles fragmented }}
{{s-vac|next=Himself}}
|-
{{s-bef| before = [[Vicente Rondón]] }}
{{s-ttl| title  = WBA light heavyweight champion
| years  = April 7, 1972 – September 16, 1974<br />Retired }}
{{s-vac| next= [[Víctor Galíndez]]}}
|-
{{s-vac|last=Himself}}
{{s-ttl|title=Undisputed light heavyweight champion
|years=April 7, 1972 – September 16, 1974<br />Retired }}
{{s-vac|next=[[Michael Spinks]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Bob}}
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Light-heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers from Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
[[Category:World Boxing Association champions]]
[[Category:World Boxing Council champions]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:World light-heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:Boxers at the 1959 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1959 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Pan American Games silver medalists for the United States in boxing]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]