Ring Magazine and others are reporting this and it has been confirmed by family members that he has passed at age 70: https://www.ringtv.com/646733-former-junior-middleweight-champ-buster-drayton-dies-at-age-70/ Buster was a Marine and after his boxing career worked as a police officer and at a VA Hospital in Philly. He won the IBF junior middleweight title in 1986 over Carlos Santos and made a couple of successful defenses, including one over Davey Moore, before dropping it to Matthew Hilton. He also had wins over Duane Thomas, Clint Jackson and Mark Kaylor. His resume is a who’s-who of middleweights and junior middleweights of the time. He was stopped just twice in 56 fights — most famously by Julian Jackson — which is remarkable considering his level of opposition from the early days of his career up to the end. A model of what a Philly fighter should be, Buster came to rumble every single time. RIP champ.
Buster was a true professional. Sparred extensively with Hagler and others as an afterthought journeyman before finally hitting the big time with the KO of Kaylor. From there he got the attention he deserved. Tough guy, and a true professional. The era in which I cut my teeth as a fan was richer for his presence. Sad to hear of his passing.
For me, Buster was one of those guys I just could never root against. He was an underdog who always fought like he expected to win — never seemed daunted by any opponent no matter how impressive their resume or highlight reels. I didn’t know he went on to become a policeman or work in the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. Seems like he devoted his life to serving others and lived a full and rich life well beyond his boxing days.
Good stuff (As usual) Mr. S. I saw most of Drayton's fights at least the ones shown live on tv back in the day. He was the epitome of the tough Philly middleweights of that era and earlier. He is also the unfortunate fighter that made me realize just how dangerous a puncher Julian Jackson was. In one of Jackson's greatest performances . Rest in power Mr. Drayton. From what I've heard throughout the years a class act.
I can remember when Buster came over to the UK to fight Mark Kaylor watching the fight on the BBC. I think the Kaylor camp saw Buster as a stepping stone and underestimated him. In fairness commentator Harry Carpenter was warning that Drayton was a tough guy Philadelphia fighter and urged caution. In the end Buster left Kaylor unconscious under the bottom rope with a devastating finish. I’ll always remember an excited Carpenter saying “that’s what Philadelphia fighters can do to you.” R.I.P. Champ.
RIP Champ. He'll be remembered for his entertaining style and fun fights. His battle with Hilton was great. This content is protected
Haha, Harry is like: “Don’t you know this is a Philadelphia middleweight standing across from you? Do I have to say anything else?” Kaylor messed around and found out.
Dreyton was a very tough guy. Sort of like mike weaver in the sense that he had a rough start but rather than falling into the mold of a journeyman he learned and got tougher with each fight and eventually won a world title.
R.I.P. Dayton. There was never a dull moment when he fought- Even when he was fighting Jackson I couldn't root against him.
Hard to believe he was that old, but Buster got a bit of a late start after serving in the Marines. By his 12th fight or so, he was fighting up-and-comers like Mark Holmes — winning some, losing some. Lost to Sumbu Kalambay, beat Duane Thomas, etc. He won the IBF title by majority decision over Santos and KO’d Said Skouma and Davey Moore in defenses before dropping the belt to Matthew Hilton. Buster was always a warrior. He even did an exhibition at age 57 with a fellow VA police officer. Always came to fight, never mailed it in or looked for an easy way out. True champion and a credit to the sport. RIP champ.
