Do you really think he literally dropped power ? Or is it just a case that his power doesn't work on heavyweights ?
I guess what I'm trying to say here is at 175, he was just so damn physically dominant. He didn't need a lot of variation in his attack and frankly I didn't see a lot. This approach didn't work so well against bigger, stronger fighters. It's been a while, though, I'll try to dig up some more footage and reassess.
Well obviously someone wouldn't hit less hard gaining weight (you'd sure hope), on a P4P scale is meant. Simply put, their power effectiveness at Heavy was meagre compared to 175. A Michael Moorer seemed to carry his power up there better, but IMO he was never a natural light heavy like these others.
I remember Foster destroying Co-Lightheavyweight Champ Vincent Rondon in 2 rds and in a lter fight Rondon went the distance with Heavyweight Earnie Shavers. Foster was one of the hardest hitting Light heavys but not as good as a heavyweight as Spinks and neither were as good as Moore. The light heavyweight division of the 60's was a division for middleweights who were looking for a less crouded opening for the title. Torres,Tiger,Rondon,Pastrano..Foster was a natural 175lb Champ, an exception but his power was not magnified at heavy.....Tunney was on his toes but Gene could punch when he wanted to. Foster may have been top 3 puncher in the Lthvy div. but could not punch with the heavys...In fact Doug Jones took his power shots and stopped him at 180-190 lbs
Fair go to Foster, this was his 10th pro fight and he was a late substitute to boot! He was 24 fights away from even winning the 175 title. Jones by contrast had fought some good fighters and had some decent experience behind him. This fight holds no significance. Lets lay this out on the table in a simple balanced manner. Foster had but two significant fights at heavyweight anywhere near his prime. They were Ali and Frazier. Ali and Frazier (Tyson even more so) would be two of the hardest to beat heavyweights in history for a 175 moving up. IMO no 175 is going to succeed against them anyway, let alone Bob. Charles, Conn, Tunney, Spinks, Moore, they ain't beating the Ali and Frazier model Foster stepped into the ring with. Now, i think it was Manassa that made an outstanding point ages back and i'll expand on it. Bob Foster never ever made a proper effort to campaign seriously as a heavyweight. He popped straight up to 188 from 175 to fight Frazier, and weighed just 180 vs Ali. Remember, this is no Ezzard Charles/Gene Tunney fighting people not that much heavier if at all than themselves. He gave away 20 and 40 pounds. Michael Spinks by contrast built up strategically to 200 pounds when taking on the faded Holmes. Even then his punches had no effect on Holmes whatsoever. He was also decimated in the blink of an eye by peak Tyson. I'll grant even if Foster did campaign properly at heavy his style and physical attributes would not have been exactly ideal. I do think however far too much is made of his supposed lack of success at this weight. Unfortunately for him he didn't have any faded champs or similar sized title holders to go up against, tho even then he's up against it.
Good Point...... but, Some guys, when they put on extra weight are just adding extra luggage. Foster was a solid 175lbs. I think with modern muscle adding tecnique, Mackey Shillstein, etc fighter like Spinks,Mooreer, Jones, moved up in weight well adding muscle. The 70's did not have the proper tech at that time. Still as much as I loved some of fOSTERS WINS, Bob did not really have the resume in his win collum like Moore, Spinks. I think even Spinks was a more solid fighter. Do you think Foster would be able to handle Cooney or Holmes like Spinks did. IMO Foster was not that strong on the recieving end but I have seen some of his Julian Jackson type KO's the guy was a 175lb terror
Spinks would always adapt better to heavy than Bob because he adapted an entirely different style. He had some of the most underrated defence in history and his awkwardness was extreme. Foster wouldn't be able to be as elusive and cute, and Spinks needed every bit of this. Frazier and Ali would have beaten him easily, tho Ali might find him elusive for a while. But if he was 100% serious and pre exile Spinks wouldn't make much impact. I rate both Spinks and Foster in my top 5 175's. Foster would probably be a narrow fave, 6-5 or 7-5. It would be anyones fight.
He's in their bracket, tho many would hold quality of opposition against him. He falls miles short of a Hearns in that regard, tho obviously he's one terrifying puncher. As was Mugabi, Garza and co.
Saw Bob Foster in person in 1969 defending the Lt.Heavy title against Andy Kendall in West Springfield Mass......Brutal KO win for Foster...the man could PUNCH! Watch his KO win over Mike Quarry in 1972...GREAT left hook!!!
No mentions of Ezra Sellers here? Sparked Carl Thompson the **** out, David Haye couldn't accomplish half of that after landing dozens of flush shots on him. Almost knocked Alex Stewart out with a jab.
Foster just didn't have the bulk to hang at 200+ pounds.................. Foster could KO anyone between 160 to 200 pounds with fair ease........... But the bigger and more talented heavies like "Frazier and Ali" were a nightmare for Bob Foster........... Foster was a great 175 pounder with NO doubt............................ Peace...... MR.BILL:bbb
:goodthat KO against mike quarry was f*****g brutal. its not my favourite left hook KO but it does look the most hurtful.