BoxRec

Just seen that former British and European heavyweight champion Jack Bodell has died. He was top of the bill on the first ever pro show I attended, at the Royal Albert Hall. There weren't many there and I remember we were all allowed to move nearer ringside. Bodell got KO'd by Pietro Tomasoni.
He did beat Billy Walker, however, in what I still rate as one of the most exciting fights I've ever seen. Bodell always looked awkward but achieved far more than I ever thought possible. I must admit I was amazed that he beat Joe Bugner.

Condolences to his family.

Jack was as you say a better fighter than he looked at times and I was always fond of watching him fight, his loss is a sad one his win over Bugner for all three belts was his greatest moment in the ring I would imagine.

Re looking at his records it just shows how times have changed, he fought 16 times in 1965, incredible achievement.

Rest in peace champ

'The Swadlincote Swineherd' was a lot better than urban legend advertised, he was fearless and faced everyone and anyone - he had very fast hands and fought to his strengths which brought him a successful career.

R.I.P. Champ.

Weirdly I looked up Jack Bodell just the other week and thought: it's good to see he's still going. He was a big unit. Sad to hear he's passed away.

fought Henry Cooper at the home of football....Molineux

I had to do a bit of research on Jack Bodell for the recent book I brought out on Henry Cooper( Henry Cooper: Cut eyes and Left Hooks), and he seemed to have a grudge against the London based media who he thought considered him an uncouth, untalented fighter. Jack was anything but untalented and had a very good amateur career.
He was tough, awkward ( due his southpaw stance) and was a reasonable ,but not lethal puncher. Cooper certainly didn't underestimate him and in later interviews made it very clear he was an extremely capable fighter.
Sadly this is another ' Redskin whose bit the dust' as we used to say. Only Brian London and Billy Walker left from this era- I'd love to sit down over a private pint with them both, I'm pretty certain I could bore them to death with my questions!!

Very sad news.

The fight against Bugner is a cracking fight to watch.

Bodell was inspired that night.

Yet another ex boxer, however, who has died of dementia.

Boxing is a great sport but the warriors who make it so pay the biggest price.

nobleart1978 wrote:Very sad news.

The fight against Bugner is a cracking fight to watch.

Bodell was inspired that night.

Yet another ex boxer, however, who has died of dementia.

Boxing is a great sport but the warriors who make it so pay the biggest price.

Dementia is commonplace though, dangerous to assume boxing caused it, my mum died of dementia, and aside from knocking my dad out once with a frying pan in a very short and one sided fight - she had no boxing career to speak of.

R.I.P

I think now is an appropriate time for a certain story.

I remember sitting in a pub, a couple of years back and there's this semi-regular who comes in and gets called "The Wise Owl" (I'm not sure that anyone knows his name, but he's been drinking in The Phoenix on and off for a load of years).

Anyway, I got in to a boxing discussion (as what often happens) and a debate sprung up regarding a statement that was made;
"he is/was better than his record suggests"

And so this debate waged on and as whether a fighter can be better than his record and does the professional record tell you all you need to know about a fighter and it is the most accurate reflection of a fighter's career. etc...
All related topics were brought up.

So The Wise Owl (who has been quiet all along and listening) speaks up during the end of the conversation and says:
"If you want to see a fighter better than his record, you'd need to be looking at Jack Bodell - he was a fine fighter.
Better than his record, check it and see..."

I had heard Jack's name in passing but I had never watched any of his fights. But from what I'm hearing he was just as good as Mr Owl told me once.

R.I.P Jack

At one time, the Heavyweight Champion of all Europe and no-one will ever take it away from you.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

nobleart1978 wrote:Very sad news.

The fight against Bugner is a cracking fight to watch.

Bodell was inspired that night.

Yet another ex boxer, however, who has died of dementia.

Boxing is a great sport but the warriors who make it so pay the biggest price.

Dementia is commonplace though, dangerous to assume boxing caused it, my mum died of dementia, and aside from knocking my dad out once with a frying pan in a very short and one sided fight - she had no boxing career to speak of.

Very true. My Nan and my Dad both got it, neither of them boxed. The home my Dad had to go into was chokka with old ladies who were dementia victims, but my Granddad - who did box - kept all of his marbles til the end.

Not long since I watched Bodell/Bugner on Youtube. Bodell just outworked and overwhelmed a young Bugner that night. RIP Jack.