Robert Wayne Foster (December 15, 1938 – November 21, 2015) was an American professional boxer who fought as a light heavyweight and heavyweight. He won the world light heavyweight title from Dick Tiger in 1968 via fourth-round knockout, and went on to defend the title fourteen times against thirteen different fighters in total from 1968 to 1974. Foster challenged Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali during his career, but was knocked out by both (the fight with Frazier being for the WBA, WBC and The Ring world heavyweight titles). He was named to Rings list of 100 Greatest Punchers of all time. He was also named to Rings list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years, ranking at No. 55. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.
Early life
Foster was born at Borger, Texas on December 15, 1938. In his childhood years his family moved to Albuquerque in New Mexico, and he received his formal education at Albuquerque High School. Upon leaving school he enlisted with the United States Air Force, in which he served with the rank of Airman Second Class. He began boxing on the Golden Gloves amateur circuit, and also took part in competitive inter-service matches for the U.S. Air Force.
Foster returned to boxing in 1975, before retiring from the sport in 1978 at the age of 36.
Post-boxing life
In the mid-1970s Foster became a police officer with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department, later becoming a detective and a well known policeman in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Personal life
He married Pearl with whom he had four children. He divorced then married Sue. He had a child named Nelson. Foster married Patricia Saiz in 1982. Her death in 1984 was ruled a suicide. His fourth wife was Rosetta Benjamin.
Foster died at the age of 77 on November 21, 2015, in a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.