Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1938, Foster started his professional career against Duke Williams, winning the match up by knockout in the first two rounds of their bout. He then went on to campaign his boxing skills in the United States and Canada, in his first twelve fights, suffering his first loss to Doug Jones, by way of knockout in the eighth round. Foster fought both in the U.S. and internationally, and obtained many of his losses through his quest to become a heavyweight contender. In the most memorable heavyweight bout, Foster suffered a famous loss against Muhammed Ali, who took home the NABF Heavyweight title. Despite these losses, Foster became a top ranked Light Heavyweight in 1967. He went on to beat competitors such as, Eddie Cotton, Eddie Vick and Sonny Moore. In 1968 at Madison Square Garden, Foster got his first title shot against Dick Tiger, knocking him out in four rounds and becoming the new Light Heavyweight World Champion.
In his retirement, Foster joined the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department and became a well known detective in the Albuquerque area. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, named to The Ring magazine's list of 100 Greatest Punchers, and also to its list of the Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years, ranked at number 55.
