53 years ago

Date: 18th November 1970

Title: WBC & WBA World Heavyweight Title

Tv:

Joe Frazier
( 25 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 209 lbs

Bob Foster
( 41 - 4 - 0 )
Weight: 188 lbs

On November 18, 1970, Joe Frazier defended his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association Heavyweight Titles against Bob Foster at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Frazier, weighing in at 209 pounds, entered the ring as a significant favourite over Foster, who was 188 pounds. This bout was highly anticipated, as it was Frazier's first defence of both titles, with the event drawing global attention, televised in 27 countries and shown on closed-circuit television across 91 U.S. cities.

Despite the high stakes, the fight was a brief affair. Frazier, known for his aggressive style and formidable left hook, dominated from the start. The first round saw Frazier taking the role of the aggressor, with Foster attempting to employ movement and boxing techniques to counteract Frazier's advances. However, Frazier's power and persistence quickly overwhelmed Foster's defences.

In the second round, a mere 49 seconds in, Frazier landed a devastating left hook to Foster's jaw, sending him to the canvas. Foster managed to rise but was clearly on unsteady legs. Allowed to continue, he was quickly floored again by another of Frazier's left hooks, leading to a knockout counted out by the referee, Tom Briscoe.

The fight's aftermath saw Foster in a post-fight daze, a testament to the ferocity of Frazier's punches. In a moment that encapsulated the disorientation experienced by fighters after a knockout, Foster, back in his dressing room, began to lace up his boxing shoes under the impression that the fight was yet to begin. His trainer, Billy Edwards, had to break the reality to him: the fight was over.

This bout underscored Joe Frazier's dominance in the heavyweight division, not just through his successful title defence but also through the sheer physicality and power he brought into the ring. For Foster, a light heavyweight champion stepping up to challenge for the heavyweight title, the fight was a stark reminder of the challenges of facing a boxer of Frazier's calibre.

The event also highlighted the commercial dynamics of boxing, with a significant portion of the arena's higher-priced seats remaining vacant, suggesting that while the fight had a considerable draw, the pricing strategy may have needed to be aligned with audience expectations. Nonetheless, the engagement from live and closed-circuit viewers underscored the widespread interest in heavyweight boxing, especially when champions like Joe Frazier were involved.