Former jr Middleweight Champion Buster Drayton passes aged 70.

Philadelphias Former world light middleweight champion Buster Drayton, sadly passed away this week at the age of 70. The news was announced by the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame last Sunday, and was later confirmed by his daughter, Melanie. 

Moses Drayton was born on March 2, 1952, and at the age of 19 was enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, Drayton would rise quickly through the ranks to the level of Sergeant. Buster found boxing whilst in the marines and would embark on a pro career 6 years later. 

Drayton soon built his reputation as a durable rugged fighter by traveling the world to take on all comers usually heavily favored opposition like Sumbu Kalambay in Italy, tough contenders Jimmy Cable and Mark Kaylor in successive fights in the Uk. Drayton earned his stripes and gained huge experience at home in the local Philadelphia gyms, where he would become a regular and reliable main sparring partner to then-middleweight champion Marvin Hagler.

Drayton broke out of the stereotypical journeyman mould in 1986 when he grabbed the opportunity with both hands and defeated Carlos Santos to win the vacant IBF junior middleweight title by majority decision.

Drayton would make two successful defenses overseas, defeating Davey Moore and Said Skouma in France, both by tenth round stoppage, before losing a unanimous decision to Matthew Hilton in Canada, losing the belt a year after winning it. 

Drayton continued to fight on until 1995, but never regained his championship status, losing to Julian Jackson by third round stoppage in a 1988 challenge for the WBA junior middleweight title and again by decision to rising contender Terry Norris in back to back outings. 

Drayton finished his career with a record of 40-15-1 (28 knockouts), and later worked as a police officer in Philadelphia and later at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Philadelphia. Buster’s passing has prompted a huge amount of tribute to those who knew or fought him, John Scully, Charles Brewer and Al Bernstein all testified that he was one of the finest individuals in the game with a wealth of knowledge that he was always willing to pass on. Buster was a no nonsense fighter with explosive power in both hands, but as a man was one of the most gentle and caring people one could ever wish to meet, he will be sadly missed.