Mac Foster

Mac Foster
Statistics
Real name	MacArthur Foster
Nickname(s)	Big Mac 'The Knife' from Fresno
Height	6' 2"
Nationality	American
Born	June 27, 1942(1942-06-27) Alexandria, VA, United States
Died	July 19, 2010(2010-07-19) (aged 68) Fresno, CA, United States
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 boxer noted for big hitting.

Early life

The son of Mississippi sharecroppers, Foster was a 6' 2" Vietnam War veteran.^{[dead link][1]} Born in [{Alexandria, LA,}^[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 light heavyweight contender). 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. Whilst serving as a sparring partner for Sonny Liston, Foster reportedly knocked out the former world champion.^[3] By 1970, he was ranked as the world's number one heavyweight contender and seemed destined for at least a title shot, but his 24-0 winning streak would come to an end when he was stopped in six rounds by Jerry Quarry in June 1970.

After the Quarry fight, Foster knocked out ageing but well rated Zora Folley in just one round. Foster lost on decision after a dull match to Muhammad Ali in 1972. It seemed to set a trend. Bob Stallings, Joe Bugner and Henry Clark a year later also outpointed him.

He served as George Foreman's sparring partner for Foreman's bout with Ken Norton in 1974. He retired from boxing in 1976 after losing his fourth consecutive decision to 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.

References

External links

Biography portal

• Professional boxing record for Mac Foster from BoxRec