Mac Foster
Mac Foster | |
|---|---|
| Born | MacArthur Foster June 27, 1942 |
| Died | July 19, 2010 (aged 68) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Big Mac 'The Knife' from Fresno |
| Statistics | |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 36 |
| Wins | 30 |
| Wins by KO | 30 |
| Losses | 6 |
MacArthur "Mac" Foster (June 27, 1942 – July 19, 2010) was an American heavyweight professional boxer. Foster was known as one of the hardest punchers of his era, and it's said that he once knocked out the powerful and feared Sonny Liston during a sparring session. In his professional boxing career, he scored notable wins over top fighters such as Thad Spencer, Cleveland Williams and Zora Folley.
Early life
The son of Mississippi sharecroppers, Foster was a 6' 2" United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran.[1] Born in Alexandria, Virginia[2] he grew up in Fresno, California, the third of eleven children. His father was a nurse. Foster picked grapes and cotton as a youth. Fresno State University offered Foster a track and field scholarship out of Washington High School, but he volunteered for the United States Marines instead. In the service, Foster won fourteen amateur boxing titles. After a military discharge, Foster turned pro, becoming the third Fresno boxer of note (Young Corbett III was a world welterweight champion and Wayne Thornton rose through the rankings to become a number one heavyweight contender in 1970. Foster trained with Pat DiFuria at the Merced Street Gym.[dead link][1]
Boxing career
Known as Big Mac 'The Knife' from Fresno, Foster made his professional debut in 1966, winning his first 24 fights by knockout, and was named Ring Magazine progress of the year for 1969. As Britain's Boxing Illustrated magazine put it 'He could certainly whack!'.[citation needed]
Whilst serving as a sparring partner for Sonny Liston, Foster reportedly knocked out the former world champion.[3]
By 1970, Foster was ranked as the world's number one heavyweight contender and seemed set for a title shot, but his 24-0 winning streak came to an end when as favourite he was stopped in six rounds by the more experienced Jerry Quarry in June 1970. After the Quarry fight, Foster knocked out ageing but well rated Zora Folley in one round.
In April 1972 Foster faced Muhammad Ali in Tokyo. Although he scuppered Ali's prediction of a fifth round stoppage by lasting the distance, Foster lost a clear decision to the former champion. But Foster was cheered for his spirited attempt.
Foster followed up his loss to Ali with knockouts of journeymen Sam McGill and Charles Williams. He was then outpointed by Bob Stallings, Joe Bugner and Henry Clark in consecutive bouts.
Foster served as George Foreman's sparring partner for Foreman's world title bout with Ken Norton in 1974. He retired from boxing in 1976 after losing his fourth consecutive decision, this time to prospect Stan Ward. Foster's final record was 30-6, with all 30 of his wins coming by knockout.
After retirement
After retiring, Foster volunteered his time as boxing coach for youth.[1]
Death
Foster died of MRSA on Monday, July 19, 2010. He was 68. Foster was survived by his wife Yolanda and their four children, Gregory, Joshua, Nathaniel and Nicole. He was buried at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California.[4]
Professional boxing record
References
- ^ a b c Jeff Davis (July 19, 2010). "Mac Foster, former boxer from Fresno, dies". The Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Professional boxing record for Mac Foster". BoxRec. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
- ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R2AOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=POsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5755,2105803&dq
- ^ Mac "The Knife" Foster at Find a Grave
- ^ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9388&cat=boxer
External links
- Boxing record for Mac Foster from BoxRec (registration required)