Why couldn't Bob Foster carry his power to heavyweight or even cruiser?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Mar 22, 2024.


  1. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    17,533
    12,943
    Sep 21, 2017
    Foster could be argued to be the hardest punching light heavy of all time. However, his power seemed to fade even against men who would by modern standards be considered small cruiser weights. On the other hand, guys like Michael Spinks or Archie Moore would still be considering lethal punchers against 180-199 pound cruisers.
     
  2. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s banned Full Member

    19,739
    21,763
    Sep 22, 2021
  3. Lankykong

    Lankykong Member Full Member

    192
    341
    May 22, 2023
    He could punch lots, Ali said he hit like a mule and he has some "heavyweights" on his resume to prove it. But no big boy worth their salt is going to let him stalk and have his way. They're going to show him what difference 35+lbs can make.

    On Spinks and Moore's success. They were bigger, trickier and had much better styles to fight against opponents bigger than themselves.
     
  4. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

    98,716
    30,657
    Jun 2, 2006
    Foster stopped11 men scaling from 190lbs to 215lbs,of course they were journeymen,but still decent sized heavies for their era.
    Beltin Bob did not have the frame to absorb punches from heavies who could bang and had that extra bit of class.A comparable puncher like Moore had the physique to do so.
    Fitzsimmons is a legendary puncher but ,for the most part ,he wasn't knocking over men 190/215lbs.
    Perhaps if Foster had been around back in Fitz's time he might have carved himself a comparable niche? Might make a good thread?
     
  5. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    55,368
    49,966
    Apr 27, 2005

    What 190-199 pound cruisers can you put forth as an example of Spinks being considered a lethal puncher against that weight bracket?
     
  6. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

    25,893
    10,092
    Jul 15, 2008
    Funny you brought this up as I was watching a Foster defense at from MSG and Dunphy was announcing and said Foster's body type and style reminded many of the then old timers of Bob Fitzsimmons ...
     
    mcvey likes this.
  7. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    17,533
    12,943
    Sep 21, 2017
    None but he did floor 235 pound Cooney multiple times and stopped a Euro level modern sized heavy. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say he could bombs away a 190 something pound fighter
     
    Smokin Bert likes this.
  8. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    55,368
    49,966
    Apr 27, 2005
    Well there's a lot of context to be had with those two wins. He hit Cooney, who had quite an average chin so many times flush he should have died 5 times over yet he finished on his feet and quite coherent. It's safe to say the Euro heavy wasn't much in the durability stakes. Foster knocked out similar level foes.
     
    Fireman Fred likes this.
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    114,868
    51,999
    Mar 21, 2007
    He knocked out a lot of guys over 175lbs. But he couldn't knock out class guys over 175lbs. The reason is often what's coming back the other way, of course. You try getting set to KO Frazier with that **** going on around you.