Bob Foster 'The Comeback'

[zorndeslammes]

lol, between this and the other thread on this page about Tony Licata, I'm wondering if Il Duce can ever admit possibly being wrong.

[Bundana]

Mr. Bundana,

The excerpts from the News Broadcast that were shown had VM-Klavifikation on the screen, so I just
assumed that that was the name of the Sports Program Broadcast.

And you are correct sir, TV-Avisen 'News Program' did cover the 'post-fight' scandal.
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And Miss Zorndeslammes,

Correct any errors on the Tony Licata thread,,,,,,,,,

You can't.......because there are none.....

Since you're not Danish, that's an honest and understandable mistake... which I certainly won't hold against you. Just trying to get the facts straight.

[sugar bunklee]

I still would have liked to see Sheriff Bob against John Conteh on September 10, 1974.

Which was the schdeuled date in London.

Even in 1975, but Sheriff Bob damaged his right hand in his tune-up bout with 'Wild Bill' Hardney in May 1975,
which put him out of action for 10-Months.

Jorge Ahumada gave the Lawman a beating--got nothing.

[Norm]

Nice thread! I'm wondering how much, if any, involvement Elmer Boyce had in all the press releases. I've been to several Boyce promotions featuring Roger Rouse in the '60s, and later Marvin Camel. There were often hiccups in the promotion, which isn't unusual, but sometimes you felt you got baited and switched.

I had bought fight tickets to see Marvin Camel vs Jesse Burnette on 11/11/78 in Missoula, MT. Burnette was a serious opponent and we knew Camel would have a real fight on his hands. Well, it turned out that Burnette had to bow out last minute because he'd just lost a decision to Pete MacIntyre three days earlier on 11/8/78.

So, the day before the card, in comes Tom "The Bomb" Bethea for what would prove to be the final bout of his career. He was blown out in the 2nd round.

As I walked out from the Harry Adams Fieldhouse, I saw a Camel vs Burnette poster behind glass, I almost grabbed it and wish I had.

I also have unused fight tickets Boyce printed for a Roger Rouse vs Jose Torres bout in 1968 that never took place. Boyce seemed like an optimistic, slightly huckster, promoter that brought the last best boxing to Montana. And I remember that he was well liked by the boxers I'd met who he'd promoted.

I'd seen Bob Foster in attendance at one of the Camel cards in Missoula, but not in the ring. Also Boyce brought South African Pierre Fourie to box an exhibition on an undercard. Pretty cool stuff during a golden era of boxing in Montana!

Anyway, nice thread, thanks!

[Rover]

Nice thread! I'm wondering how much, if any, involvement Elmer Boyce had in all the press releases. I've been to several Boyce promotions featuring Roger Rouse in the '60s, and later Marvin Camel. There were often hiccups in the promotion, which isn't unusual, but sometimes you felt you got baited and switched.

I had bought fight tickets to see Marvin Camel vs Jesse Burnette on 11/11/78 in Missoula, MT. Burnette was a serious opponent and we knew Camel would have a real fight on his hands. Well, it turned out that Burnette had to bow out last minute because he'd just lost a decision to Pete MacIntyre three days earlier on 11/8/78.

So, the day before the card, in comes Tom "The Bomb" Bethea for what would prove to be the final bout of his career. He was blown out in the 2nd round.

As I walked out from the Harry Adams Fieldhouse, I saw a Camel vs Burnette poster behind glass, I almost grabbed it and wish I had.

I also have unused fight tickets Boyce printed for a Roger Rouse vs Jose Torres bout in 1968 that never took place. Boyce seemed like an optimistic, slightly huckster, promoter that brought the last best boxing to Montana. And I remember that he was well liked by the boxers I'd met who he'd promoted.

I'd seen Bob Foster in attendance at one of the Camel cards in Missoula, but not in the ring. Also Boyce brought South African Pierre Fourie to box an exhibition on an undercard. Pretty cool stuff during a golden era of boxing in Montana!

Anyway, nice thread, thanks!

Maybe they just forgot to replace the poster given the short notice withdrawal.

[Norm]

On October 23 that same year, 1976, Boyce promoted a rematch between Matt Franklin (Matthew Saad Muhummad) and Marvin Camel at the U of M Fieldhouse. This was a chance for Camel to avenge his split decision loss to Franklin in Stockton CA on 7/7/76. I attended this card.

Even the hometown fans of Camel boo'ed the unanimous decision that went in Camel's favor. It was a good, competitive bout but Franklin seemingly earned the decision. Referee Bob Foster scored the bout a ridiculous 100-91 in Camel's favor.

Franklin's camp immediately protested the scoring, but the officials of the Montana State Athletic Commission had left the building before the main event was over.

One thing about Camel, he could take a hell of a punch. I still remember the echoing thud in the fieldhouse from several of Franklin's hooks. The whole crowd got silent when those landed.

Camel later became the first Cruiserweight champion in history with a decision over Mate Parlov in Las Vegas.

[Norm]

Norm,

Why couldn't they get the Bob Foster vs. John Conteh bout 'signed and sealed'.

I remember from January 1974 thru July 1975, as that being the most anticipated fight in boxing,
until John Conteh 'snapped' his right hand against Willie 'The Bull' Taylor.

Then it looked like a 'Go' for mid/late 1976. Then again for early-1977.

I'm sure sure why that bout couldn't get made. It might be that Boyce was determined to bring the bout to Missoula, but it is probably more complicated than that.

Boyce did manage to promote the 4/4/70 Foster/Rouse light-heavyweight championship bout in Missoula.

And also "The Parade of Champions" card on June 22, 1967, a triple main event featuring George Chuvalo, Don Fullmer and Roger Rouse. Only Rouse put in a long night's work on that card winning a 10 round decision over Bobby Rascon. The Chuvalo and Fullmer bouts were mismatches as they walked over opponents Archie Ray and Luis "Nature Boy" Garduno respectively.

In the boxing program for that card, Boyce noted Archie Rays chances saying he "should upset Chuvalo". And Fullmer's opponent "Nature Boy" had the crowd rolling in the isles when he took off his robe after entering the ring. Butterball would have been a more appropriate nickname as he had no resemblance to his photo in the program. He'd been out of the ring for 3 years and this was the last bout of his career.

Boxer's records were spotty information back then, I'm so grateful for boxrec.

But those were great times in the Montana boxing scene. These cards are what made me a lifelong boxing fan.

[Norm]

Good Stuff,

In some of the articles, it does state that Elmer Boyce had just about 'Closed the Deal', but
John Conteh's brother and manager 'Tony Conteh' was being very difficult in the negotiations.

It would have been an interesting bout.....Pick-A-Winner.... :??

It definitely would have been an interesting bout, might be close enough for 'home town' influence, but I'd probably go with UD for Conteh at this point in Foster's career.

Your thoughts?

[Rover]

Good Stuff,

In some of the articles, it does state that Elmer Boyce had just about 'Closed the Deal', but
John Conteh's brother and manager 'Tony Conteh' was being very difficult in the negotiations.

It would have been an interesting bout.....Pick-A-Winner.... :??

It definitely would have been an interesting bout, might be close enough for 'home town' influence, but I'd probably go with UD for Conteh at this point in Foster's career.

Your thoughts?

I agree with your pick.

[Norm]

Maybe they just forgot to replace the poster given the short notice withdrawal.

Yes, I'm pretty sure you're right about that. Boyce had to know he booked Burnett for a date only 3 days following Burnett's bout in Stockton CA which was a huge advantage for Camel. There is a bit of irony too, because Camel's chance in Missoula to avenge his loss to Matt Franklin was necessitated by his loss to Franklin also in Stockton CA.

[Rover]

Maybe they just forgot to replace the poster given the short notice withdrawal.

Yes, I'm pretty sure you're right about that. Boyce had to know he booked Burnett for a date only 3 days following Burnett's bout in Stockton CA which was a huge advantage for Camel. There is a bit of irony too, because Camel's chance in Missoula to avenge his loss to Matt Franklin was necessitated by his loss to Franklin also in Stockton CA.

Wow, I'd never thought of it that way.