Via Ken Hisner: One of the most beloved boxers ever produced in Philadelphia passed away on November 20, IBF Super Welterweight champion Buster Drayton at the age of 70.
We’ve just lost a great champion and brother, one of South Philly’s best, Buster Drayton. My deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of the champion. May you rest in peace, gone but not forgotten.
Earl “The Pear” Hargrove (former best friend of Buster and world title challenger and knockout artist).
In June 1986, 2nd place Drayton, 27-9-1, was defeated by majority decision to third-placer Carlos Santos of Puerto Rico, 33-1, for the vacant IBF Light Middleweight belt. at Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Drayton is managed by Ivan Cohen and trained by Wesley Mouzon. He boxed about seven times for Philadelphia IBHOF promoter J Russell Peltz, who said of him the following:
He’s the perfect example of a fighter who has learned from his failures and is proof that you don’t have to be invincible to make a name for yourself. It’s a shame that today’s TV executives simply don’t understand that, and that’s why people like Buster would have a hard time today because everything depends on numbers, not numbers. must be able.
Drayton has had four knockouts after winning the title, twice failing to win the title and twice defending the title, all in France.
In August 1986, he stopped former WBA lightweight champion Davey Moore, 15-2, for 10 rounds. In March 1987, he blocked Frances Said Souma, 22-4, after ten rounds. In June, he lost the title to Matthew Hilton of Canada, 26–0, by decision in Montreal, Canada, due to a broken right arm in the third round.
In July 1988, Drayton lost to WBA Super Welterweight champion in three rounds of stoppage time Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, 34-1, at Harrah’s Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Drayton ended his career in June 1995, losing to Derrick “Poppy” Rolan, 21-2, to compete for the IBF-USBA North Atlantic middleweight belt in Worcester, Massachusetts. His final record was 40-15-1 with 28 stops.
Former IBF Super Middleweight Champion from Philadelphia Charles “Hatchet” Brewer had this to say:
I remember training and fencing with this guy many times, and back then, it seemed like he had one of the most unorthodox boxing styles I’ve ever seen. Bus can knock you out with a left hook or what I believe is his favorite, that right-handed smash. He was always filled with laughter.
In January 2012, at the age of 57, Drayton returned to the ring for an exhibition in Philadelphia. He worked as a police officer in Philadelphia and later worked at the Veterans Affairs Service in Philadelphia. He was a Sergeant in the Marines.
Drayton was a training partner with world middleweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler for four years, and he had it to say:
Other workout partners thought they were going to knock Marvin down, but my attitude was that I would go there to learn. Hagler told me to go out there alone, because you’re ready to be a champion.
I covered Buster Drayton’s title fight with Carlos Santos, but my fondest memory is when he visited the Ring newsroom in Manhattan shortly after stopping Davey Moore in his first IBF defense. He is beaming from ear to ear as he recounts the story of his extraordinary fisting adventure, which resulted in a featured article in the December 1986 issue.
From being bullied for boxing while serving in the Marines to an upset victory over Santos, Buster’s story unfolds in a flurry of enthusiasm. He credits regularly scrambling with Marvin Hagler for giving him the confidence boost he needed.
Drayton said: “I thought, hey, this guy is the champion, and I’m up against him. “I can really do something by myself.”
And he did.
Nigel Collins, Editor of Ring magazine
A colleague and close friend Doreen Donnelly had this to say: I’ve never heard anyone say a bad or malicious thing about him. That is rare. Everyone loves him.
As a police officer at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Buster greets everyone with a smile. He tried to help anyone he saw. He is a pleasure to work with and always has a positive attitude. He was the heart and soul of the police department, and when he retired, he left a hole that seemed impossible to fill.
He will be missed, but he will live in stories that will be told for years. (A personal note from this writer knowing she’s been a die-hard fan for years, goes to the games, and is a nice person you can meet.)
On December 6, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Mt. Enon, 500 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. will be the “Love Service” for the champion.
