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Showing posts with label Light Heavyweight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Light Heavyweight. Show all posts

Sunday, September 22, 2013

"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Bob Foster

Bob Foster is one the greatest Light Heavyweight World Champions in boxing history. He has won in the WBA, WBC and The Ring bouts throughout his career. Foster won a silver medal at the 1959 Pan American Games as an amateur and would go on to capture fame in the Light Heavyweight division.
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.

Monday, September 16, 2013

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, with a vast striking, kickboxing, and grappling background.  Along with Randy Couture, Liddell is widely credited for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream. 
Born on December 17, 1969 in Santa Barbra, California, Liddell was raised by a single mother, and his grandfather who taught him boxing techniques.  Liddell made his UFC debut in 1998 during UFC 17, with a decision over Noe Hernandez. In his next bout, he faced the Brazilian fighter, Jose "Pele" Landi-John, which was bare-knuckle. Liddell was the heavy underdog in the fight and won the match by decision.  Liddell began establishing his reputation as a top contender with victories over MMA greats Vitor Belfort and Tito Ortiz. Liddell was also the first UFC fighter to fight in Pride.
Liddell finished his career with the second most knockouts in UFC history, behind Anderson Silva, and in 2009, Liddell was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame and is currently an actor in advertising by Miller Light.