Would Bob Foster have...

The answer to your question is probably not. Bob Foster was comfortable in the light heavyweight division, that he ruled from 1968 until he retired as champion in 1974. Bob realized that fighting heavier opponents was not in the cards for him, he got obliterated by Joe Frazier on Nov 18 1970 in round 2. This title defense for Joe was right before Frazier defended his title against Muhammad Ali on March 8 1971. Bob had a paralyzing left hook on his 175 lb opponents but it had little effect on the much heavier ones, such as Ernie Terrell and Muhammad Ali. A great fighter knows his limitations.

 

I recall an interview with Foster who said he took those fights at heavyweight because that's where the money was at that time. Far more than light heavyweight fights. Would have been interesting to see what Bob could have done on steroids weighing around 200 solid pounds

 

Very interesting indeed but with the use of Modern (Steroids) Nutrition there are consequences on the human body, just for the sake of vanity. Bob probably would have died much sooner like Lyle Alzado did from cancer.

 

Probably, as a Raider fan I read where the steroids in use back then that Alzado was taking were far cruder than the refined products of today which are almost undetectable and he injected him self almost daily toward the end of his career hence his uncontrollable rage outbursts .

 

I agree but we do not know today the later results of even the refined Steroids. They are illegal I believe if found in a blood or urine test. Miss the days when fighter trained on their own to get in the best condition that they could without the cheap use of those illegal substances.

 

Probably not. Remember, many of the heavies back then were modern day cruisers. Fighters like Doug Jones who Foster lost to. Foster was a thorough light heavyweight

 

Bingo my friend!! However, idle revisionist minds will never accept that truth.

 

Plus other modern day abominations like "catch weights" et al,....

 

Your memory is flawed, grandpa. Catchweights are as old as boxing itself.

 

Go away boy.

 

These youngsters are too disrespectful, a good belt spanking would take care of that spoiled brat attitude, apparently his parents failed as parents.

 

I would say no. Bob Foster struggled to even get up in the 180's for his heavyweight fights. He is to the light heavies as Hagler was to middleweights.

 

He was never meant to be anything but a light heavyweight. Some of his peers like Harold Johnson, Archie Moore, Ezzard Charles and Michael Spinks had better luck at heavyweight.

 

As I always say, a great fighter knows his own limitations. Bob Foster and many others like him knew theirs.