I recall a highly respected fighter on classic saying, several years ago, that Buster Drayton was one of the most underappreciated fighters of his era and would easily be a strong champion in todays scene. The statement always stuck in my mind as I had no idea who Buster Drayton was at the time, but his name stuck in my mind forever afterwards. Looking at his record, I can definitely see the argument for it. Once he accumulated some experience, mostly I would imagine from being Marvin Hagler's main sparring partner for 4 years, between 1980 and 1984, he took out plenty of solid and competent fighters and captured a world title, if a less respected one at the time, in the IBF. He beat up Mark Kaylor despite a seven year age advantage in youth for Taylor, 23 years to 30 for Drayton. Kaylor's only previous loss before to this bout was knocking a man out completely cold after the bell and being DQ'ed. He took out the talented, former Olympian Clint Jackson in a huge upset of the time via one punch knockout in the second round, in the fight that really kick started his career after a very rough, mixed start. He was the first fighter to beat, and stop, future world champion Duane Thomas, whom would go on to defeat John Mugabi via bizzare circumstances to win his title and who also outpointed hugely renowned and respected Sumbu Kalamby three years after Drayton took him out! Anyone have any thoughts or memories of one of the most old school fighters of the modern age, matched tough early and often from the very start and persevering despite those circumstances? Can't fault a man who essentially went from sparring partner to world champion, in an era where there was no shortage of talent around. I see him as an exceptionally dangerous fighter in his prime. He wasn't the most accurate puncher, but carried deadly, one punch knockout power, a 15 round engine, endless heart and grit, and a damned solid chin.
Yep He could really fight. A Freddie Pendleton type in that he was thrown in over his head early, learned on the job, improved and became World Class.
The Hilton fight was not "razor close." Hilton clearly deserved the decision. Some did feel he outworked Kinchen, though.
a lot of talent back then, I remember him being similar to Iran Barkley type guy. So many guys every bit as good as the champs of their time, things just didn't go their way some of the time.
I remember him coming over to fight Mark Kaylor as a late replacement. Kaylor was a rated up and comer unbeaten in 20 odd fights and Buster was just expected to be a stepping stone and although Drayton was giving him half a stone he decimated Kaylor. He left him unconscious under the bottom rope and I can always remember Harry Carpenter the well respected BBC commentator shouting as Kaylor lay there, “That’s what Philadelphia fighters can do to you!”
I was in Las Vegas and bet on him to beat Julian Jackson, better competition, Philly fighter, all that. He was no super star that night.
That was the second time in that year Drayton was brought in as nothing but an opponent with a spotty record and both times he eventually won by devastating one punch knockout... though the Kaylor fight ended up being particularly brutal, with Kaylor knocked down several times and the referee, blatantly not calling them knockdowns in some attempt, I can only imagine, to help Kaylor out. All he was was set him up like a bowling pin to be smashed over by the relentless and hard punching Drayton. This is some Juan Coggi level corruptness, in my opinion. This content is protected
Drayton was a late bloomer and one of the most underrated Philly fighters. He is barely mentioned today but won a world title and he was tough and had a hard punch. He would fight anyone , anywhere and fought in 16 states and 5 countries. These qualities are rare today and with multiple belts available today yes he would be champion.
