BoxRec

Il Duce wrote:June 28, 1975

'FOSTER TRIES COMEBACK'

Former World Light Heavyweight Champion - 'Sheriff Bob' Foster will start his comeback on Saturday Night
at the 3600 seat Sweeney Gym in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The 37 year-old Foster, who retired in September 1974 - vows that he will retire for good if loses in his bout
with Heavyweight 'Wild Bill' Hardney of Maryland.

Sheriff Bob, who retired with a record of 51-6-1 {42 KO's}, which also included '14' Title Defenses of the
Light Heavyweight Championhip that he won on May 24, 1968 by Knocking Out - Dick Tiger.

The former Champion who weighed in at 177 lbs., has looked fairly sharp in his sparring sessions, and
expects a victory tonight. Bob last fought 1-Year ago, on June 17, 1974 in Albuquerque.

'Wild Bill' Hardney, a 33 year-old slugger out of Maryland, claims a record of 67-14-8 {33 KO's} in his
'89-Bouts'. 'Wild Bill' who weighed in at 190 lbs., said that he will put Foster away in 5-Rounds with
a steady attack of body punches, and will put the former Champion into permanent retirement.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 1780,d.dmg
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The Fight,

Bob Foster fought steady in Rounds 1 and 2, and was in comlete command as he used his long left hand
to jab at the head of 'Wild Bill' Hardney, winning both Rounds easily,

In Round 3, Bob opened up with an assortment of punches, and soon had Hardney reeling backwards.

After hurting Hardney with a sharp right hand, Bob unloaded a tremendous right hand thet dropped 'Wild Bill',
where he was counted out at 1:26 of Round 3.

Analysis;

Bob Foster looked over-whelming against a 'cannon-fodder' who was brought in to do nothing more than make
Bob Foster look good, and get KO'd. But, despite the impressive performance, Bob Foster injured his right hand,
which would put him 'out-of-action' for 6-Months, stalling his comeback.

Il Duce wrote:Saturday Night - May 8, 1976

Adams Field House - Missoula, Montana

"BOB FOSTER WINS EASILY"

"FOSTER LOOKS TOWARD TITLE"

38 year-old Bob Foster {183 lbs.} won again in his 'second comeback bout', as the former Light Heavyweight
Champion blasted out over-matched 'Sugar' Al Bolden {177 lbs.} by a Knockout in Round 3.

Foster, who had to take 10-months off following his last bout {June 28, 1975} where he suffered a hand-injury,
showed no effects of the injury to his right hand.

The former Champion came to win, and scored with solid left jabs to the face of the 30 year-old Al Bolden,
in Rounds 1 and 2, driving the Pittsburg Light Heavyweight backwards.

In Round 3, Foster continued with left jabs, while setting up his opponent for his powerful right hand. Late in
the Round, Bolden attempted to throw a right and over Foster's long left, and the former Champion unleashed
a tremendous right hand to Bolden's chin that collapsed him, where he was counted out at 2:51 of Round 3.

Foster improved his record to 53-6-1, and scored his 44th knockout.

Al Bolden saw his record drop to 25-9-1.

Bob Foster, "I swallowed my pride to fight as the undercard bout, but I really don't care. I will have my
Title back by the end of the year. I have been offered a bout in Belgrade, Yugoslavia - and I may go
over there in July 1976."

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... Bkx2soUAJA




.

Il Duce wrote: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.

Il Duce wrote:Saturday Night - September 25, 1976

'BOB FOSTER WINS, WAITS FOR JOHN CONTEH'

Bob Foster scored a Knockout win {KO 6} over 'Sugar' Al Bolden last night at the
Coliseum in Spokane in front of a sparse crowd of 800.

The 38 1/2 year old former Light Heavyweight Champion used his snappy left jab
to control the early Rounds. But Foster had to withstand a brief rally by Bolden in Rounds 4 and 5,
before turning the bout around in Round 6.

The lanky Foster {181 lbs.} used his smashing right hand in Round 6, to stagger Bolden {186 lbs.}
and then dropped his opponent with a series of hard punches, where he was counted out
by Referee - Gene Fullmer.

Bob Foster improves to 55-6-1 {46 KO's}.

Bob Foster, "John Conteh has to fight 'Yaqui Lopez' in next {October 9, 1976 - in Copenhagen}. He may
lose that fight, which will cost him a lot of money. If Yaqui wins, we'll make him a nice offer to face me in
Montana or Albuquerque in January 1977."
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October 11, 1976

"CONTEH WINS, TO FACE BOB FOSTER NEXT"

John Conteh defended his WBC Light Heavyweight Championship with a 15-Round Decision over Alvaro
'Yaqui' Lopez. The Champion from Great Britain has agreed to face former Champion - Bob Foster in early-1977
in bout to be held in in the United States.
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October 20, 1976

Promoter - Elmer Boyce is putting together another fight card for November 20, 1976 at the Center in Seattle,
which will feature former Light Heavyweight Champion - Bob Foster. It will be Foster's final tune-up bout, before
facing WBC Light Heavyweight Champion - John Conteh of Great Britain.

Elmer Boyce, "I've been negotiating with the WBC, to bring John Conteh here in early-1977, for a Championship
bout. If not Seattle, we can hold it in Missoula, Montana."

Il Duce wrote:October 9, 1976 (Copenhagen, Denmark)

John won the bout against 'Yaqui' Lopez, but it was fairly close.

John had broken his right hand (twice within 15-Months), so he primarily used
just one hand (left jab) to out-box 'Yaqui'.

Following that win, John Conteh agreed and signed to face Bob Foster in January 1977
for a $150,000 fight purse, with either CBS or ABC agreeing to purchase the
broadcast rights.

But the bout 'stalled', as it appeared that it was John Conteh who didn't want that fight,
especially in Montana.

Il Duce wrote:Eddie,

Here is the article

October 11, 1976

John Conteh had defeated Alvaro 'Yaqui' Lopez on October 9, 1976 in Copenhagen, and announced that he
would face Bob Foster next, in a bout to be scheduled for early-1977.

But, on January 1, 1977 - John Conteh rejected the offer, and signed to face #1 WBC - Miguel Cuello for
a March 1977 date in the United Kingdom.

Upon hearing the news, Bob Foster retired again, and stated that he would only fight for a World Championship,
and would not fight anymore 'non-title' bouts.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 4Gi3ckQceQ

scartissue wrote:Before the Hazleton fight - on March 28th, 1977 to be precise, Bob Foster was scheduled to fight for the title. He was signed to fight Victor Galindez in South Africa for a fee of $70,000. For whatever reason was going through Bob's head, the 39 year old ex-champ refused a pre-fight medical and the match was scrubbed.

Rover wrote:

scartissue wrote:Before the Hazleton fight - on March 28th, 1977 to be precise, Bob Foster was scheduled to fight for the title. He was signed to fight Victor Galindez in South Africa for a fee of $70,000. For whatever reason was going through Bob's head, the 39 year old ex-champ refused a pre-fight medical and the match was scrubbed.

That's bizarre.

scartissue wrote:

Rover wrote:

scartissue wrote:Before the Hazleton fight - on March 28th, 1977 to be precise, Bob Foster was scheduled to fight for the title. He was signed to fight Victor Galindez in South Africa for a fee of $70,000. For whatever reason was going through Bob's head, the 39 year old ex-champ refused a pre-fight medical and the match was scrubbed.

That's bizarre.

I know, there are more questions out of a fight that did not take place than I have of bouts that did take place. It's not like he didn't know there was going to be a pre-fight med. C'mon, he had been doing this long enough. Was the $70,000 beneath him? He had to have know what he was getting while signing, so why sign? Was it South Africa? Again, it's not like he didn't know the venue and he was already over there prepping. This wasn't a 10 rounder, this was for the world title, so I'm at a loss. I do believe he was going to take a thumping from Galindez. Was that the problem? Did Bob have scouts checking out Victor in training? Again, this is nothing he hadn't been through before, so I have no idea.

Il Duce wrote:For one thing,

Bob Foster was not well liked by 'anybody' in South Africa.

Even the Black South Africans disliked him, because he was not at all receptive or respectful to his fans
when he first fought in South Africa (December 1973) against Pierre Fourie.

As a matter of fact, they hated him.....

Bob had several Championship Bouts lined after he retired in September 1974, but even his former
Manager Lou Viscusi said Bob's desire to fight changed from Day-to-Day.

Bob would go into training for 3-weeks with a scheduled bout lined up, and then abruptly pull out for
no other reason other than spite,,,,,,, 'not money'.

Il Duce wrote:

Rover wrote:Was the Wassaja bout televised?

Yes it was,

Thursday Night - February 9, 1978 - Denmark

On VM-KVALIFKATION, a Danish Sports Programing Network.

Former World Light Heavyweight Champion Bob Foster {181 lbs.}, 2-months shy of his 40th Birthday,
got smacked around by the light-hitting southpaw Mustafa Wassaja {177 lbs.} for much of the 5-Round
bout on Thursday Night.

The 24 1/2 year-old 'talented and undefeated' African (from Uganda) now living in Denmark, landed a volley
of unanswered punches on the disinterested former Champion in Round 4, as Foster made no real effort
to try and fight back.

At the end of Round 4, Bob Foster abruptly quit, stating that he hurt his left hand.

But the Danish crowd boo'ed and threw Boxing Programs into the ring.

The former Champion then agreed to come out for Round 5, but again fought with little effort.

Fight Promoter, Mogens Palle and the Danish Boxing Union announced that they were withholding a portion
of Bob Foster's 'Fight Purse'. Foster was paid 'one-third' of his fight purse in advance, but the Danish Boxing
Union said that they would withhold 50% of Bob Foster's remaining 'fight purse'.

The Danish Fight Promoter stated that he had wanted Bob Foster to win, as he was hoping to stage a
Championship bout between WBC Champion - Mate Parlov vs. Bob Foster for April 1978.

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7ltj ... 1170871449

By the way, Bob Foster was one of the TV Announcers for the John Conteh vs. Alvaro 'Yaqui' Lopez 'WBC Championship'
bout held in Copenhagen back on October 9, 1976.

Il Duce wrote:Bundana,

Follow the trail for this bout, very interesting stuff.

A) Mogens Palle offers Bob Foster a bout in Copenhagen.
B) A win, and a potential Championship Bout with WBC Champion - Mate Parlov looms
C) Bob Foster contemplates return
D) Mogens Palle ups the fight offer
E) Bob Foster agrees to a $40,000 Fight Purse for an 8-Round bout against an 'unknown' and light-punching Mustafa Wassaja
F) Mogens Palle pays Bob Foster 1/3 of his fight purse ($13,333) up front money
G) Billy Edwards asks for expense money (travel and hotel) to Copenhagen for 5-Associates
H) After accepting the 'up front money', Bob Foster does an interview in the Albuquerque Journal
I) Bob Foster says he's retired, and has no interest in fighting anymore
J) This gets back to Mogens Palle in Denmark, who goes ballistic, as he's in the midts of a Fight Promotion
K) Bob Foster does another interview, and says he's retired, but that the fight purse offer was so big, it was hard for him to turn down.
L) It was stated, that Bob Foster said he was just going to go over to Denmark, get his money and come back home
M) Word gets back to Denmark, and the Danish Sports News reports the statements from Bob Foster
N) Bob Foster arrives in Denmark, and does a press conference explaining that his statements were taken out of context.
O) With 'tongue-in-cheek', Bob Foster says that he is taking his comeback seriously, and looks forward to his bout with Mustafa Wassaja.
P) Bob Foster says that after he defeats Mustafa Wassaja, he plans to fight Mate Parlov in Copenhagen for the WBC Championship.

Il Duce wrote: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.....

Il Duce wrote: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.

Norm wrote: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!

Il Duce wrote: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.