Buster Drayton


Buster Drayton is an American former boxer who won the IBF world title at light middleweight. 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 Returns to the Ring

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 work 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 9 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.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
Loss40–15–1 Derrick RolonUD1210 Jun 1995 Worcester, Massachusetts, United StatesFor IBF USBA North Atlantic Middleweight Title
Win40–14–1 Jose VeraPTS63 Nov 1994 Salem, New Hampshire, United States
Win39–14–1 Robert HarrisTKO414 Aug 1993 Old Orchard Beach, Maine, United States
Win38–14–1 Gary SmithTKO318 Nov 1992 Sanford, North Carolina, United States
Win37–14–1 Eric Mustafa ColeTKO826 Jun 1992 Randolph, Massachusetts, United States
Win36–14–1 Jose VeraPTS822 May 1992 Agawam, Massachusetts, United States
Loss35–14–1 Eric HollandUD1028 Aug 1991 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win35–13–1 Gary JonesUD811 May 1991 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Loss34–13–1 Brinatty MaquilonTKO85 Oct 1989 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win34–12–1 Darryl FrommUD1028 Sep 1989 Finky's Bar, Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Loss33–12–1 Terry NorrisUD1228 Mar 1989 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFor NABF Light Middleweight Title
Loss33–11–1 Julian JacksonTKO330 Jul 1988 Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesFor WBA World Light Middleweight Title
Win33–10–1 Leroy JonesTKO45 Dec 1987 The Col Ballroom, Davenport, Iowa, United States
Loss32–10–1 Matthew HiltonUD1527 Jun 1987 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaLost IBF World Light Middleweight Title
Win32–9–1 Said SkoumaTKO1027 Mar 1987 Palais des Festivals, Cannes, FranceRetained IBF World Light Middleweight Title
Win31–9–1 Juan Alonso VillaKO228 Feb 1987 Vincennes, France
Win30–9–1 Davey MooreTKO1024 Aug 1986 La Pinede, Juan-les-Pins, FranceRetained IBF World Light Middleweight Title
Win29–9–1 Benito FernandezTKO620 Jun 1986 Paris, France
Win28–9–1 Carlos SantosMD154 Jun 1986 Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, United StatesWon IBF World Light Middleweight Title
Win27–9–1 Sam LeonardTKO54 Apr 1986 Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win26–9–1 Bruce JacksonTKO522 Jan 1986 Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win25–9–1 John JarvisTKO614 Sep 1985 Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win24–9–1 Dennis JohnsonTKO1010 Jun 1985 Landmark Hotel, Metairie, Louisiana, United States
Loss23–9–1 James KinchenPTS1014 Apr 1985 York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom
Win23–8–1 Thomas SmithUD1014 Feb 1985 Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win22–8–1 Tony HarrisonTKO1028 Nov 1984 Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win21–8–1 Terry HolmesTKO126 Sep 1984 Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win20–8–1 Gary CoatesTKO425 Jun 1984 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win19–8–1 Mark KaylorTKO713 May 1984 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
Win18–8–1 Jimmy CableKO111 Apr 1984 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Win17–8–1 Gregory ClarkTKO228 Jan 1984 Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Loss16–8–1 Fred HutchingsPTS102 Oct 1983 Stockton, California, United States
Loss16–7–1 Mario MaldonadoSD101 Sep 1983 Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win16–6–1 Patricio DiazPTS109 Jun 1983 Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win15–6–1 Clinton JacksonTKO212 May 1983 Bristol, Tennessee, United States
Win14–6–1 David PlowdenUD812 Apr 1983 Sheraton Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Loss13–6–1 Bushy BesterPTS105 Feb 1983 Ellis Park Tennis Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Loss13–5–1 Sumbu KalambayPTS830 Oct 1982 Teatro Ariston, Sanremo, Italy
Win13–4–1 Bruce JohnsonTKO931 Jul 1982 Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win12–4–1 Duane ThomasTKO729 Apr 1982 Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss11–4–1 Lindell HolmesPTS107 Mar 1982 Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win11–3–1 Dan SnyderPTS817 Jan 1982 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win10–3–1 DC WalkerKO223 Dec 1981 Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Win9–3–1 Tyrone DembyPTS625 Jul 1981 Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss8–3–1 Mario MaldonadoPTS814 Jun 1981 Sands Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss8–2–1 Mark HolmesUD67 Feb 1981 Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win8–1–1 Dan SnyderTKO424 Jan 1981 Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss7–1–1 Kevin PerryTKO36 Nov 1980 Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
7–0–1 Curtis TaylorNC81 Oct 1980 Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win7–0–1 Bill HarringtonTKO29 Aug 1980 Superstar Theatre, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win6–0–1 Clifford SmithTKO118 Oct 1979 Philadelphia Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win5–0–1 Julius SpellPTS420 Sep 1979 Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Win4–0–1 Jesse CarterKO630 Aug 1979 Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Win3–0–1 Bob SaxtonTKO13 Jul 1979 Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win2–0–1 Frank MooreKO331 May 1979 Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Win1–0–1 Jesse CarterPTS614 Dec 1978 Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Draw0–0–1 Charles CareyPTS49 Nov 1978 Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States