Ezzard Charles v Bob Foster

agreed 100:good%

 

I voted for Charles to win by KO. IMO, this would be the most likely outcome if the two met at their respective best. Which means that Charles would be a Cruiserweight. Bob could be a LHW or a very light Cruiser.

But I have observed that many here are comparing them at LHWs. At this weight, I really cannot decide. Charles is rated by many to have been the best LHW ever though he never won the title. Foster on the other hand had a dominating reign and seemed unbeatable at LHW. As I said, I really can't decide.

 

A good fight while it lasted. I would favor Charles by Ko in 8 rounds.

 

I have just watched some bouts of Foster, who I admit I haven’t seen that much.

Here are my thoughts on the match up now.

Bob Foster is much like Thomas Hearns in the way his boxing skills are complemented by his ranginess and power. He tends to keep guys at range with the big shots and if they come forward he can whack them with solid counter-punches. However, unlike Hearns I do not think he has that great sense of control of range, which in turn detracts from his defence.

Mike Quarry showed us that lateral movement, from outside of Foster’s range, and then stepping in with hard shots, especially with the left hand, can have some success. Now Quarry ultimately failed as he was not explosive enough when creating a new angle, sure, he moved to the side but then he would come in on a straight line, right into Fosters line of delivery. He also lacked the necessary fluidness and defensive technical skills, as well as the necessary offensive skills and variety.

Now, Ezzard Charles could very well follow this gameplan. Keeping outside of Foster’s range then quickly stepping in off an angle with solid left hand shots. Charles showed against Marshall that he could move around outside then quickly step in with combinations. He also showed throughout his career a varied offence, especially with his left hand, that he could turn on in an instance. I can see Charles sliding into mid-range with a snappy jab and coming in with a left hook or uppercut after it, really exploiting Fosters stance there.

Chris Finnegan was a better fighter than Quarry. He had good technical skills and kept a fairly disciplined back-foot fight. He would circle slowly then come in with hard straight punches before getting out again. One thing he did, that Quarry severely lacked, was feinting before he came in that off set Foster’s chance of countering as he came in, where he was particular deadly. He also showed us that Foster is open right down the middle.

Now, Charles is a master at feinting, I can easily see him tieing Foster in knots as he slides into range and delivers his combination. Also the fact that Foster is open right down the middle, works brilliantly for Charles who can pump his lovely straight right down the pipe. Really opening up his offence and exploiting Foster’s defensive flaws.

Another thing is that Charles was pretty smart in the way he came inside, we see in his Heavyweight days he smoothly slides into range with his head at a slight angle and his hands ready to block punches or tie-up if need be. It is very Hopkins-esque in that respect. Also, I noticed Foster had a slight habit of leaning to his right hand side, in a sort of perma-slip stance. This would work perfectly for Charles left uppercut to take his head off, but I don’t see Foster leaving himself in that position after he tastes one or two.

So, overall, I see Charles taking an early lead with smart boxing, working in angles with a sharp offence. Foster will have some success and may drop Charles with a well placed counter, but I can’t see him having any sustained success, as Charles would quickly close it down, or change up. As the later rounds roll on, I’d expect Charles to begin to open up more with his offence and start to really fire them in on Foster, before stopping him in the late rounds, most likely by referee’s intervention.

 

Excellent analysis. Good insights and breakdown.:good

 

Cheers dpw

 

how many light heavies would beat foster in your opinion ?? i reckon maybe 1 or 2 for sure, including charles

 

A good many of them turpinr.

I probably everyone but Charles, Spinks, Conn and Moore.

 

all those would make my top 10 but i don't know about conn beating foster

 

Ha the movement to off set his punches, the offence to land on Foster and the durability to last.

I don't know that much about Conn though.

 

i knew a bloke who gave him a hair-cut once

 

Some claim to fame.

 

THe fact that you insist on comparing the styles of Satterfield and Foster show how little you know about this sport. You couldn't pick more different styles and match ups for Charles if you tried ... you're a classless clown, plain and simple.

 

yeah well i was jealous