Moses Buster Drayton (March 2, 1952 – November 20, 2022) was an American boxer who won the IBF world title at light middleweight (154lb). Drayton turned pro in 1978 and won the vacant IBF light middleweight title with a decision win over Carlos Santos in 1986. He defended the belt twice before losing it to Matthew Hilton the following year. In 1988 he took on WBA light middleweight titleholder Julian Jackson, but was defeated via TKO in the third round. He retired in 1995 at the age of 43.

Buster Drayton
Drayton at a fight card in 2012
Born
Moses Buster Drayton

(1952-03-02)March 2, 1952
DiedNovember 20, 2022(2022-11-20) (aged 70)
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights57
Wins40
Wins by KO28
Losses15
Draws1
No contests1

Military service

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Drayton joined the United States Marines during 1972, later rising to the rank of Sergeant. During 2016, he was honored for his service by the National Federation of Black Veterans.[1]

Return to the ring

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Drayton returned to the ring in an exhibition in 2012. Drayton, aged 57, returned on January 28, 2012, in an exhibition in Philadelphia against former Philadelphia police officer Floyd 'Sugar Boy' Richards on the undercard of Dhafir Smith versus Quinton Rankin. Drayton and Richards both worked as Police Officers for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Phila VA Medical Center. Buster Drayton won the IBF title by 15-round decision at the Meadowlands over Carlos Santos in 1986. He lost it to 26-0 Matthew Hilton at The Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1987. The South Philadelphia's fighter's final professional record was 40-15-1, with 28 kayos. In terms of longevity in the ring, Drayton was nine years younger in 2012 than The Galveston Giant, legendary former World Heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, who last appeared in a charity exhibition for U.S. War Bonds at age 66 in 1945. Also, former Junior Welterweight champion Saoul Mamby fought a professional bout at age 60 in 2008, but lost his comeback attempt by ten-round decision.

Personal life and death

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Drayton died on November 20, 2022, at the age of 70.[2]

Professional boxing record

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57 fights 40 wins 15 losses
By knockout 28 3
By decision 12 12
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
57 Loss 40–15–1 (1)   Derrick Rolon UD 12 10 Jun 1995   Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. For IBF USBA North Atlantic Middleweight Title
56 Win 40–14–1 (1)   Jose Vera PTS 6 3 Nov 1994   Salem, New Hampshire, U.S.
55 Win 39–14–1 (1)   Robert Harris TKO 4 14 Aug 1993   Old Orchard Beach, Maine, U.S.
54 Win 38–14–1 (1)   Gary Smith TKO 3 18 Nov 1992   Sanford, North Carolina, U.S.
53 Win 37–14–1 (1)   Eric Mustafa Cole TKO 8 26 Jun 1992   Lombardo's, Randolph, Massachusetts, U.S.
52 Win 36–14–1 (1)   Jose Vera PTS 8 22 May 1992   Oaks Banquet Hall, Agawam, Massachusetts, U.S.
51 Loss 35–14–1 (1)   Eric Holland UD 10 28 Aug 1991   Original Sports Bar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
50 Win 35–13–1 (1)   Gary Jones UD 8 11 May 1991   Regina Agridome, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
49 Loss 34–13–1 (1)   Brinatty Maquilon TKO 8 5 Oct 1989   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
48 Win 34–12–1 (1)   Darryl Fromm UD 10 28 Sep 1989   Finky's Country Showplace, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
47 Loss 33–12–1 (1)   Terry Norris UD 12 28 Mar 1989   Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. For NABF light-middleweight title
46 Loss 33–11–1 (1)   Julian Jackson TKO 3 30 Jul 1988   Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For WBA light-middleweight title
45 Win 33–10–1 (1)   Leroy Jones TKO 4 5 Dec 1987   The Col Ballroom, Davenport, Iowa, U.S.
44 Loss 32–10–1 (1)   Matthew Hilton UD 15 27 Jun 1987   Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Lost IBF light-middleweight title
43 Win 32–9–1 (1)   Said Skouma TKO 10 27 Mar 1987   Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, Cannes, France Retained IBF light-middleweight title
42 Win 31–9–1 (1)   Juan Alonso Villa KO 2 28 Feb 1987   Vincennes, France
41 Win 30–9–1 (1)   Davey Moore TKO 10 24 Aug 1986   La Pinede, Juan-les-Pins, France Retained IBF light-middleweight title
40 Win 29–9–1 (1)   Benito Fernandez TKO 6 20 Jun 1986   Paris, France
39 Win 28–9–1 (1)   Carlos Santos MD 15 4 Jun 1986   Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. Won IBF light-middleweight title
38 Win 27–9–1 (1)   Sam Leonard TKO 5 4 Apr 1986   Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
37 Win 26–9–1 (1)   Bruce Jackson TKO 5 22 Jan 1986   Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
36 Win 25–9–1 (1)   John Jarvis TKO 6 14 Sep 1985   Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
35 Win 24–9–1 (1)   Dennis Johnson TKO 10 10 Jun 1985   Landmark Hotel, Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
34 Loss 23–9–1 (1)   James Kinchen PTS 10 14 Apr 1985   York Hall, Bethnal Green, England, U.K.
33 Win 23–8–1 (1)   Thomas Smith UD 10 14 Feb 1985   Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32 Win 22–8–1 (1)   Tony Harrison TKO 10 28 Nov 1984   Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31 Win 21–8–1 (1)   Terry Holmes TKO 1 26 Sep 1984   Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30 Win 20–8–1 (1)   Gary Coates TKO 4 25 Jun 1984   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29 Win 19–8–1 (1)   Mark Kaylor TKO 7 13 May 1984   Empire Pool, Wembley, England, U.K.
28 Win 18–8–1 (1)   Jimmy Cable KO 1 11 Apr 1984   Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.
27 Win 17–8–1 (1)   Gregory Clark TKO 2 28 Jan 1984   Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
26 Loss 16–8–1 (1)   Fred Hutchings PTS 10 2 Oct 1983   Alex G. Spanos Center, Stockton, California, U.S.
52 Loss 16–7–1 (1)   Mario Maldonado SD 10 1 Sep 1983   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 16–6–1 (1)   Patricio Diaz PTS 10 9 Jun 1983   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
23 Win 15–6–1 (1)   Clinton Jackson TKO 2 12 May 1983   Viking Hall, Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
22 Win 14–6–1 (1)   David Plowden UD 8 12 Apr 1983   Sheraton Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
21 Loss 13–6–1 (1)   Bushy Bester PTS 10 5 Feb 1983   Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
20 Loss 13–5–1 (1)   Sumbu Kalambay PTS 8 30 Oct 1982   Teatro Ariston, Sanremo, Italy
19 Win 13–4–1 (1)   Bruce Johnson TKO 9 31 Jul 1982   Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18 Win 12–4–1 (1)   Duane Thomas TKO 7 29 Apr 1982   Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17 Loss 11–4–1 (1)   Lindell Holmes PTS 10 7 Mar 1982   Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16 Win 11–3–1 (1)   Dan Snyder PTS 8 17 Jan 1982   Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15 Win 10–3–1 (1)   DC Walker KO 2 23 Dec 1981   Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
14 Win 9–3–1 (1)   Tyrone Demby PTS 6 25 Jul 1981   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13 Loss 8–3–1 (1)   Mario Maldonado PTS 8 14 Jun 1981   Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
12 Loss 8–2–1 (1)   Mark Holmes UD 6 7 Feb 1981   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11 Win 8–1–1 (1)   Dan Snyder TKO 4 24 Jan 1981   Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10 Loss 7–1–1 (1)   Kevin Perry TKO 3 6 Nov 1980   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9 NC 7–0–1 (1)   Curtis Taylor NC 8 1 Oct 1980   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 7–0–1   Bill Harrington TKO 2 9 Aug 1980   Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7 Win 6–0–1   Clifford Smith TKO 1 18 Oct 1979   Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6 Win 5–0–1   Julius Spell PTS 4 20 Sep 1979   Alan B. Shepard Civic Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
5 Win 4–0–1   Jesse Carter KO 6 30 Aug 1979   Alan B. Shepard Civic Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
4 Win 3–0–1   Bob Saxton TKO 1 3 Jul 1979   Steel Pier Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 2–0–1   Frank Moore KO 3 31 May 1979   Dome, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
2 Win 1–0–1   Jesse Carter PTS 6 14 Dec 1978   Dome, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
1 Draw 0–0–1   Charles Carey PTS 4 9 Nov 1978   Dome, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Federation of Black Veterans Honors a Homegrown Hero". 11 November 2016.
  2. ^ "FORMER JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP BUSTER DRAYTON DIES AT AGE 70". The Ring magazine. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
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Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Carlos Santos
IBF Light Middleweight champion
June 4, 1986 – June 27, 1987
Succeeded by