http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/bob_foster/73667 Recent articles about Bob Foster en-us Due to the surprise announcement that leading IBF light heavyweight contender Karo Murat was forced to pull out of his mandatory July bout with IBF Champion Bernard Hopkins due to visa problems, the winner of tonight's clash between Sergey Kovalev and Cornelius White on NBC Sports Network Fight Night (8 p.m. Eastern) will immediately become the mandatory challenger for Hopkins' title. Credit: Rich Graessle - Main Events "This pushes up the timetable considerably," said promoter Kathy Duva. "Both Kovalev and White accepted this fight knowing that a win would ensure them a title shot. Now, it appears, the winner will likely fight for the title in his next bout. What was already a compelling match just got a lot more interesting and significant." These are exciting times in the light heavyweight division. Following Adonis Stevenson's spectacular one-punch knockout of longtime champion Chad Dawson there is much speculation about what is to come. One of... Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:37:59 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/sergey_kovalev_in_position_to_challenge_bernard_hopkins_if_he_defeats_cornelius_white_tonight/13836743 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/sergey_kovalev_in_position_to_challenge_bernard_hopkins_if_he_defeats_cornelius_white_tonight/13836743 Sergey Kovalev in position to challenge Bernard Hopkins if he defeats Cornelius White tonight http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/sergey_kovalev_in_position_to_challenge_bernard_hopkins_if_he_defeats_cornelius_white_tonight/13836743 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/4/d4c5b3e7cabde788366d4c62759aa7c4bf394b28/mini/OrnelasHopkins_8056.jpg It’s too bad that the cruiserweight division was not around in the 60′s and 70′s. Many fine boxers scaled under 190 pounds and gave creditable performances against bigger men. Doug Jones is an example as he came close to upsetting Cassius Clay in 1963. Doug had lost in 1962 to Harold Johnson for the light heavyweight title. In 1965 he lost to Ernie Terrell for WBA Heavyweight crown. Back then there was no middle ground. If you weighed over 175 pounds you fought heavyweights, period. Bob Foster, who was one of the greatest light heavyweights of all time had trouble moving up to heavyweight. Jones, Terrell, and Zora Foley soundly beat him in heavyweight bouts. After winning the light heavyweight crown in 1968 he failed in attempts to beat Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. How would he have fared at 200 pounds? I’m sure if you took all the top boxers who weighed between 175 pounds and 200 pounds since 1960 most experts would rate Holyfield number one. How would a 190-pound Holyfield have c... Tue, 07 May 2013 22:11:43 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/jimmy_ellis/13571216 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/jimmy_ellis/13571216 JIMMY ELLIS http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/jimmy_ellis/13571216 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png There were many who thought he was going to be the next Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. His name was Henry Clark. He was a tall, smooth boxing heavyweight with a world of potential. His professional career began in 1964 and before long he was mixing it up with some of the best fighters in the world.How’s this for starters ? His pro debut was a four round decision loss to the rugged Joey Orbillo ! Less then two months later he pounded out a ten round verdict over future title challenger Manuel Ramos. The following year he whipped tough trialhorse George “Scrapiron” Johnson. In 1966 he fought a No Decision bout with Amos “Big Train” Lincoln and he lost a decision to highly regarded Zora Folley.The year 1967 saw Henry establish himself as a force in the heavyweight division by winning on points over Bill McMurray, Steve Grant on two occasions, Fred Lewis, Eddie Machen and Roger Rischer. Henry opened 1968 by defeating the clever Leotis Martin. This led Henry into a major bout against comebac... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:11:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/henry_clark/13469932 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/henry_clark/13469932 HENRY CLARK http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/henry_clark/13469932 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png With the late Arturo Gatti in the news as he is being considered for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, fans are again speculating about his mysterious death.  But Gatti wasn't the first boxer to die under suspicious circumstances.  Zora Folley beat him to it by several decades. Folley (79-11-6, 44 KOs) was active from 1953 to 1970, and fought some of the best heavyweights of his time, being most well known in boxing circles for taking on Muhammad Ali in Ali's last fight before his three-year banishment. Folley lost to the likes of Sonny Liston and Ernie Terrell, but holds impressive victories over the likes of George Chuvalo, Oscar Bonavena, Bob Foster, Doug Jones and Henry Cooper, having split a series of fights with him. On March 22, 1967, Folley, past his prime, faced Muhammad Ali for the WBA championship (Ali's last fight till his 1970 bout with Jerry Quarry).  Ali knocked Folley out in the seventh, expressing relief that he hadn't had ... Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:20:10 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zora_folleys_mysterious_death_murky_details_from_the_death_of_the_former_heavyweight_contender/12027235 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zora_folleys_mysterious_death_murky_details_from_the_death_of_the_former_heavyweight_contender/12027235 Zora Folley’s mysterious death: Murky details from the death of the former heavyweight contender http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/zora_folleys_mysterious_death_murky_details_from_the_death_of_the_former_heavyweight_contender/12027235 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png (News Release)The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board An Opening Bell for Reform The purchase of THE RING by Golden Boy Promotions in 2007 provoked immediate questions about its independence. The dismissal of Nigel Collins and several editorial staff in 2011 and a series of questionable ratings decisions by the new editors were followed by an overhaul of the championship policy on May 3rd. At the center of the controversy was the provision allowing first and second-ranked contenders to face third, fourth, and even fifth-ranked contenders for vacant championships. A hue and cry was raised in the red-light district of sports. THE RING, which had led the way for clarity and reform in boxing for the better part of eighty-four years, appeared to relinquish its mission. Three members of its ratings advisory panel resigned in protest. They didn’t go quietly. Tim Starks of The Queensberry Rules published “The Horrible New Ring Magazine Championship Policy” on May 4th. Springs Toledo publ... Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:59:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_transnational_boxing_rankings_board_an_opening_bell_for_reform/11935711 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_transnational_boxing_rankings_board_an_opening_bell_for_reform/11935711 The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board: An Opening Bell For Reform http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/the_transnational_boxing_rankings_board_an_opening_bell_for_reform/11935711 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png For sheer drama, excitement and exhilaration, there are few, if any, spectacles in sports that can compare to witnessing the sudden, stunning and memorable ending that comes with a one-punch knockout. Below is a Top 10 list of today’s heaviest-handed hitters compiled by renowned boxing historian and Showtime analyst Steve Farhood. Farhood’s Top 10 Hardest Punchers in Boxing Today Credit: Will Hart - HBO 1. Randall Bailey (43-7, 37 KO’s): The purest right hand in the game.  Just ask welterweight Mike Jones, who in June was ahead on points when Bailey exploded with a straight right in round 10, and a fight-ending right uppercut in the 11th round.  Bailey’s hook can be devastating as well.  In 1999, he won his first world title on Showtime with a 41-second left hook knockout of Carlos Gonzalez. 2. Jhonny Gonzalez: History tells us that rangy, long-armed fighters can be devastating punchers (Thomas Hearns and Bob Foster, for example).  Mexico’s Gonzalez has carried his power from ban... Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:11:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/top_10_hardest_punchers_in_boxing_today/11637838 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/top_10_hardest_punchers_in_boxing_today/11637838 Top 10 hardest punchers in boxing today http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/top_10_hardest_punchers_in_boxing_today/11637838 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) has officially announced its Class of 2012. New members will be inducted at the 8th annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner on Saturday night, November 10 at the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. The new CBHOF inductees are former World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight champion "Tremendous" Travis Simms, former World Boxing Union (WBU) middleweight titlist "Dangerous" Dana Rosenblatt, five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach, promoter Jimmy Burchfield (Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.), manager George Cruz and the late manager/promoter Lou Viscusi. "This year's class has great individuals and is an eclectic group comprised of world champion boxers, promoters, managers and trainers," CHBOF president and Class of 2011 inductee Glenn Feldman said. "We even have a direct link to Connecticut's greatest fighter of all-time, Willie Pep (inaugural CBHOF class), through Lou Viscusi." The ... Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:43:53 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/freddie_roach_amongst_new_inductees_to_connecticut_boxing_hall_of_fame/11473384 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/freddie_roach_amongst_new_inductees_to_connecticut_boxing_hall_of_fame/11473384 Freddie Roach amongst new inductees to Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/freddie_roach_amongst_new_inductees_to_connecticut_boxing_hall_of_fame/11473384 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tonight well-spoken and articulate South African IBO super middleweight champion Thomas "Tommy Gun'' Oosthuizen (18-0-1, 13 KOs) will meet dangerous ShoBox veteran Marcus "Too Much" Johnson (21-1, 15 KOs), of Houston, Texas, in the 10-round super middleweight co-featured bout on ShoBox: The New Generation live on Showtime tonight, Friday, April 27, at 11 p.m. ET/PT  from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla. This will be the second United States fight for Oosthuizen, who won a unanimous decision over Aaron Pryor Jr., in his stateside debut on Sept. 3, 2011, in Biloxi, Miss. Right here, you can find a quick interview Q&A with the rising prospect and contender. Credit: Tom Casino / Showtime Fans will see a familiar face or two in Oosthuizen's corner, led by manager/trainer Harold Volbrecht, the former No. 1 ranked welterweight contender and former South African welterweight champion and Brian Mitchell, the former WBA and IBF 130-pound world champion ... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:16:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/interview_q_a_with_undefeated_thomas_oosthuizen/10660862 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/interview_q_a_with_undefeated_thomas_oosthuizen/10660862 Interview Q&A with undefeated Thomas Oosthuizen http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/interview_q_a_with_undefeated_thomas_oosthuizen/10660862 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png As Belfast’s Carl Frampton shimmers in the aftermath of another well executed hatchet job this past weekend, his domestic rival and newly appointed British king at junior featherweight, Scott Quigg, looks to tilt the spotlight back his way on Saturday against recently retired Welshman, Jamie Arthur. Quigg punched laser beams through Jason Booth in October during an intense showing that coerced the Nottingham veteran to quit while he was still standing at the end of round 7. Arthur, too, tackled Booth in his own last outing, one which the latter managed to shade via split decision around a year ago. It was enough to convince Arthur, a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, to refocus on an alternative career as a fitness instructor (he had previously taken a three-year sabbatical in 2005 after South African journeyman Harry Ramogoadi had derailed him in five). Lured back under the ring lights with the bait of a Lonsdale belt, Arthur starts swinging as a prohibitive underdog ag... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:10:37 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/british_beat_scott_quigg_sharpens_up_against_jamie_arthur_tony_dodson_looks_to_upset_the/9739672 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/british_beat_scott_quigg_sharpens_up_against_jamie_arthur_tony_dodson_looks_to_upset_the/9739672 British Beat: Scott Quigg Sharpens Up Against Jamie Arthur; Tony Dodson Looks To Upset “The ... http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/british_beat_scott_quigg_sharpens_up_against_jamie_arthur_tony_dodson_looks_to_upset_the/9739672 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Recently, “the Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay, Jr. on January 17th, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky) celebrated his 70th birthday.  Just to think, it all began by chance when he was a young boy and someone stole his bike and he reported it to the police.  He then told police officer Joe Martin that he wanted to beat up the person who stole his bike, and the officer recommended to the young Cassius Clay to learn how to box, and history was made.  He started off as an amateur boxer who won six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two National Golden Gloves titles, and then went on to the 1960 Olympics in Rome to win the Gold medal in the light heavyweight division.  He won his first professional fight on October 29, 1960 against Tunney Hunsaker, who happened to be the police chief of Fayetville, West Virginia.  Ali stands 6-ft, 3-in height and is the only heavyweight ever who was able to move around a ring like a middleweight fighter.  That is why he always said “float like a butte... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:25:10 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/truly_the_greatest_ali_turns_70/9532478 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/truly_the_greatest_ali_turns_70/9532478 Truly "The Greatest" Ali turns 70 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/truly_the_greatest_ali_turns_70/9532478 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Ten Greatest Light Heavyweights in Boxing History For many reasons, ranking light heavyweights is a tricky endeavor. Many of the greatest to ever do it at this weight were never officially champion. The issue of racism rears its head in this weight class, with many of the division’s top practitioners from the first half of the century being denied their rightful place. Many old-time greats fought in many divisions and it can be difficult to isolate their prime into one division. Without many of them having won titles at 175, it’s not always clear. Almost half of this top-ten is occupied by fighters who were never officially champions at this weight. In other words, coming up with a list takes a little more work in this division than some others. Here are the ten greatest light heavyweights who ever lived. 1. Archie Moore (1935-1963): Credit: Bettmann/ CORBIS Sure, it’s become en vogue to call Ezzard Charles the greatest light heavyweight of all time. While I won’t argue with ... Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:45:53 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 Top 10 Best Light Heavyweight Boxers of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Ten Greatest Heavyweights in Boxing History While one of the easiest lists to compile, with so many many hallmark names at the top, it is one of the more sticky rankings in the sport. The number one and two spots are easy enough, with an even argument on Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis. After that, it is an absolute free-for-all with some of the giants from the past. This division, more than any other, requires one to ignore the head-to-head fantasy component. Let’s face it, what a heavyweight really is has changed drastically over the years. Up to 4 of the people on this top-ten might not even be a heavyweight in today’s era of 250-pound cyborgs. This division really forces one to be mindful of the fact that a fighter can only really be judged against his era. There are so many different factors and who’s to say which ones should carry more weight? One can go off any number of things, like accomplishments, won-loss record, quality of opposition, or a ton of other factors. Not to mentio... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:44:06 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9270806 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9270806 Top 10 Best Heavyweight Boxers of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9270806 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Detroit ring legend Emanuel Steward was at Cobo Arena when Smokin' Joe Frazier destroyed light-heavyweight king Bob Foster in their bout there 41 years ago. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:40:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/detroiters_laud_smokin_joe_frazier/7963270 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/detroiters_laud_smokin_joe_frazier/7963270 Detroiters laud Smokin' Joe Frazier http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/detroiters_laud_smokin_joe_frazier/7963270 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/e/2ec300beeb92c6af1f64e9e3a7aac11fb869c9f2/mini/Joe_Frazier_Portrait_4b5b.jpg Record: W-32, L-4, Draw-1, KO-27 1965 Aug. 16 - Woody Goss, Philadelphia, W-TKO 1 Sept. 20 - Mike Bruce, Philadelphia, W-KO 3 Sept. 28 - Ray Staples, Philadelphia, W-KO 2 Nov. 11 - Abe Davis, Philadelphia, W-KO 1 1966 Jan. 17 - Mel Turnbow, Philadelphia, W-KO 1 March 4 - Dick Wipperman, New York, W-TKO 5 April 4 - Charley Polite, Philadelphia, W-TKO 2 April 28 - Don (Toro) Smith, Pittsburgh, W-KO 3 May 19 - Chuck (Charley) Leslie, Los Angeles, W-KO 3 May 26 - Memphis Al Jones, Los Angeles, W-KO 1 July 25 - Billy Daniels, Philadelphia, W-TKO 6 Sept. 21 - Oscar Bonavena, New York, W-10 Nov. 21 - Eddie Machen, Los Angeles, W-TKO 10 1967 Feb. 21 - Doug Jones, Philadelphia, W-KO 5 April 11 - Jefferson Davis, Miami, W-KO 5 May 4 - George Johns, Los Angeles, W-10 July 19 - George Chuvalo, New York, W-TKO 4 Oct. 17 - Tony Doyle, Philadelphia, W-TKO 2 Dec. 18 - Marion Connors, Boston, W-KO 3 1968 March 4 - Buster Mathis, New York, W-TKO 11 June 24 - Manuel Ramos, New York, W-TKO 2 Dec. 10 - Oscar Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:21:06 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/joe_frazier_fight_record/7939744 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/joe_frazier_fight_record/7939744 Joe Frazier Fight Record http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/joe_frazier_fight_record/7939744 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/7/779f4f70263b5d675fcd045cf474990a55e1ed88/mini/Hearts_For_Hope_0691.jpg