About Mac Foster

Born June 27, 1942 in Alexandria, VA
Grew up in Fresno, CA
Died July 19, 2010
Career record: 30 wins (30 KO), 6 defeats
"Big Mac the Knife from Fresno"

Foster was the son of Mississippi sharecroppers, a 6'2" Vietnam veteran who won 14 amateur boxing titles while he served. Fresno State University offered him a track and field scholarship, but he opted to join the U.S. Marines. Early in his career, he worked as a sparring partner for Sonny Liston, and reportedly knocked him out during one of their training sessions. All of Foster's victories in the ring were a result of knockouts.

By 1970, Foster was ranked the number one heavyweight contender, but a loss to Jerry Quarry halted his quest for the title. In 1972, Ali easily defeated his former sparring partner. Foster continued to fight for four more years, retiring in 1976 after losing his fourth consecutive decision to Stan Ward. After he retired, Foster volunteered as a boxing coach for young people. He died in 2010 from congestive heart failure, leaving behind his wife Yolanda and nine children.

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