Brad Foster to return and his team vow: best is yet to come

Foster sways away from Edwards. Pic: Boxxer/Lawrence Lustig

BRAD Foster, the former British super-bantam boss blessed with near breath-taking talent, is set to return.

No announcement has yet been made, but I understand a significant title contest for the 27-year-old will be publicly unveiled within days.

That’s good news for the game. There were those who believed Lichfield’s Foster was poised to walk away after his last fight, a controversial, 10 rounds points loss to Welsh prospect Rhys Edwards last November.

The majority at ringside for the Wolverhampton contest – this writer included – had Brad winning handily.

His other two losses in a 20 bout career also sparked arguments. Brad and his team felt the points defeat to Jason Cunningham was wrong. That setback cost him the British and Commonwealth belts.

The WBC international title loss to Ionut Baluta two years ago was close enough for debate, but correct, in my opinion.

Veteran manager PJ Rowson said: “I understand Brad’s frustration and disappointment and would have understood if he decided to walk away, I would not have blamed him if he’d had enough. He’s a nice, intelligent land who can turn his life to other things.

“The Cunningham fight was very controversial. Most people thought he’d won and it caused uproar in the boxing community.

“The Baluta fight, he was a bit flat and possibly still licking his wounds after Jason Cunningham. Hands in the air, I thought he lost that one.

“The last fight against Rhys Edwards, everyone said he won it. The amount of call I had afterwards and no one thought it was a correct decision. If he had walked away at that point I would not have blamed him. He clearly did enough in that fight.”

Foster once appeared to have the world at his feet. He turned pro at just 18, collected the British title in his 11th bout, added the Commonwealth and earned outright ownership of the Lonsdale Belt.

His rise seemed unstoppable until Cunningham upset the applecart in 2021.

Rowson firmly believes Foster can still achieve bigger and better things.

“I don’t believe anyone has seen the best of Brad Foster,” he added. “What I have seen in terms of progression, others have not seen in his fights.

“There is still more inside him, there is more in there that has never been shown. In the gym, in sparring, I have seen wonderful things and that is why I have such belief in Brad Foster.

“He has another 20 per cent plus he can go to. If he brings that out he can go back to the very top.”

Rowson added: “It’s unfinished business. I don’t think he’s gone as high as he can.”