The Empire Pool in Wembley bore witness to a night of thunderous drama on 26 September 1972, as Bob Foster defended his world light-heavyweight crown against Chris Finnegan in a bout that has since entered the history books as Ring Magazine’s Fight of the Year.

Few gave Finnegan, the former Olympic gold medallist from Bletchley, more than a puncher’s chance against the towering American champion. Foster had bulldozed through contenders Vicente Rondón and Mike Quarry in a combined six rounds, and most expected a similar demolition job. Instead, the Englishman produced a performance of grit, intelligence and heart that pushed the champion deeper than almost any opponent before him.

From the opening bell, the pattern was set: Foster, all reach and menace, sought to dominate behind his jab, while Finnegan circled, feinted and slipped inside with quick bursts. The southpaw’s movement frustrated the champion, who at times looked ponderous and even rattled by the challenger’s timing. By the middle rounds, the crowd sensed a contest rather than a coronation.

The first great shift came in the tenth. After nine absorbing sessions in which Finnegan had arguably edged ahead, Foster suddenly found the sharpness that had deserted him. A jab and crashing right hand deposited the Englishman on the canvas for the first time in his professional career. Though Finnegan sprang back to his feet and fought with defiance, the tide had turned.

Rounds eleven through thirteen became a furious exchange of wills. Finnegan landed cleanly with his right, momentarily troubling the American, but Foster’s counters grew heavier, more precise. Each time the Englishman forced the issue, the champion answered with punches that carried the weight of his moniker—“The Deputy Sheriff.”

The end came in the fourteenth. With both men weary but unbowed, Foster uncorked the same ruthless combination: a stiff left followed by a straight right. Finnegan dropped heavily, slumping against the ropes, unable to rise before referee Aime Leschot’s count reached its conclusion. The official time: fifty-five seconds of the fourteenth round.

Though Foster retained his belt, the night belonged as much to Finnegan. The bricklayer-turned-boxer had given the champion his sternest test, proving resourceful, daring and resilient against one of the most feared punchers of his generation.

For Foster, it was his twelfth successful defence and a reminder of his formidable finishing power. For Finnegan, despite defeat, it was a night that elevated his reputation beyond Europe, ensuring his name would forever be linked with one of boxing’s great world title wars at Wembley.