Where do you rank Bob Foster at light-heavyweight?

Top 3, top 5, arguably 1.

 

As World Light heavyweight Champion from 1968 until his retirement as champion in 1974, Bob Foster was unbeatable at his weight. He fought and defeated the best of his era. Maybe he did not succeed at heavyweight but realistically, one does not have to move up to prove his greatness, that is a myth. A great fighter knows his limitations, some pay attention to money hungry promoters and blood thirsty fans, many do not. I felt that Michael Spinks did great at 175 lbs, so did Archie Moore, but at heavyweight, Spinks was mediocre. He happened to catch Larry Holmes at the twilight of his great career. But he was brutally destroyed by Mike Tyson in 1988, in a highly anticipated fight, as was Bob Foster against Smoking Joe Frazier on Nov 18 1970 in round 2. Archie Moore was unsuccessful against Rocky Marciano on Sept 21 1955, TKO 9. Would have anyone liked to have seen Matthew Saad Muhammad against a peak Larry Holmes? I rank Bob at 3, after all he never lost his title. No one can help fighting the opponents of their own era. Foster was intelligent not to honor a mandatory challenge against WBC no.1 contender John Conteh in 1974, as well as not committing himself to a title defense against WBA no.1 challenger Victor Galindez. This following a 15 round draw against Jorge Ahumada in June 1974. Does anybody really think that Michael Spinks could have defeated a peak Larry Holmes of 1982?

 

The fight I would love to see would be Foster vs. Spinks. The left hook against the right.. I would pick Spinks by late knockout but if Foster connected, you never know. Can you imagine Foster vs. Qawi? The height difference.

 

I would have loved to see those fights, a lot of action.

 

Can you imagine Qawi trying to pressure Foster? God if we could only match up greats from different eras and magically watch them. Pryor against the Chavez who beat Taylor.

 

I would have stayed glued to the television, afraid to miss a moment.

 

I have thought about that at times. If we could tune in any fight from the past and watch it I don't think we would blink. Norris vs. Hearns at 154. Liston against Tyson. Duran vs. Chavez. Even a fight like Julian Jackson against Marvin Hagler.

 

Those would have been classic great fights.

 

Top 3 maybe #1

 

Charles #1
Spinks #2
Moore #3
Foster #4