Which HW era would Bob Foster have been most competitive in?

None really.

Between his heavyweight disadvantages and the colour bar he would have been roasted in any era.

 

Would be interesting to see him vs Fitz, Corbett and Sharkey. Also maybe pre Joe Louis like against Jack Sharkey, Schemeling and Primo.

 

Foster was only destroyed by two top 5 heavyweights (Or so) who had upwards of 40 pounds on him. Hardly means he'd lose against any and all comers at heavyweight.

Frazier was the only one of them to destroy him. He simply bullied Foster and took him apart, the physical advantages were massive.

But against a Corbett? I feel he'd slaughter him.

Fitz would be a completley even fight, and I just might favor Foster.

Then again, Jeffries kills Foster.

 

This decade would have been good for him. He wouldn't stand a chance against the Klitschko's, Tua, Lewis, or even this decade's version of Tyson; but there are numerous title holders to choose from now.

Foster would have a decent shot against John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, or Roy Jones Jr.

 

How about the Patterson, and Ingo era, pre Liston?

I could see Foster doing well here. Or the late 1920's post Tunney to mid 1930s pre Joe Louis.

 

What bothers me about Foster is not that his campaign at heavyweight (also against the lesser ones) ended in dramatic failure, but that he never beat anyone of note, period. His speed, power and reach were something to behold, and you don't need a great win to be a great fighter, but he lacks even good win. Well, that's a bit harsh maybe, but i don't see him being competitive in any heavyweight era.

 

I think he could be competitive in the pre and post Louis eras...and maybe even become champ.
But he was just one of those guys who couldnt make the jump.

One thing though Chris I think Bob had a pretty good career at light heavy...Dick Tiger, Chris Finnegan, Jerry Quarry, Eddie Cotton, Henry Hank et al. Thing about him is he didnt just beat guys, he ruined them..Quarry and Finnegan especially had pretty big wraps on them from what I can gather but Bob beat them so brutally they were never going to come back from it.
So I think in a way he sort of made his era look weak with the level of dominance he had over it...Because many people seem to gauge contenders on how their careers went after their title shot. I think Roy is a good modern example of this.

 

Do you guys really feel comfortable picking John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, and Roy Jones Jr. to defeat him with no question?

 

Foster was kod by 4 of the top 5 heavyweights he met.
Ali 2211/4 Foster180 =41 1/4lbs advantage
Frazier209 Foster 188=21lbs advantage
Jones 182 Foster 174=8lbs advantage
Terrell 202 1/2lbs Foster 183=19 1/2 lbs advantage

Folley 2121/4 Foster181=31 1/4 lbs advantage L U DEC.
Foster was overpowered by all those who stopped him and Jones and Terrell were not big punchers,neither was Ali ,yet he floored Foster 7 times and won easily, despite your assertions to the contrary.
Foster could not put on meaningful weight to compete as a heavy,neither could he withstand a heavyweights punch.
Foster might have a chance with Corbett ,but Fitz could possibly ko him as he punched as hard ,but had better durability himself.
Foster as I said might have a chance with Corbett ,but slaughter him? NO.
Movers worried Foster ,Anderson ,Fourie both went the distance,and Finnegan nearly did.Corbett weathered the punches of Jeffries for 33rds in two fights when he was past his best , he doesnt get slaughtered .

 

The thing about Foster is he got battered by Frazier and Ali, which is fine, but all his other HW losses were way removed from his prime, many while he was learning his trade.

So could Foster have been a good 185lb HW if he got the right fights? I can't see why not if he gets the right fights against lesser flight fighters. Pre-1900 he could be a champ, he beats Fitz/Crobett, 1900-1920 he'd be 1 of the top HWs in the world but never the best

 

Foster gave Ali a tough fight. Foster won a few rounds, and cut Ali. Frazier blew Ali out. I think Foster matches up best vs non-swarming boxers who lack a big punch, or vs boxers with suspect durability.

 

Anytime from Corbett to Johnson.... maybe mixing well with Willard also. As a LH/W, he ruled the division well in the 70's. Hardly impossible to see him wipe the floor with Corbett, Fitz, Jefferies, Hart and Burns..

He may have beat Johnson and Willard.. Outboxed Dempsey and Tunney.