Joe Bugner vs. Jack Bodell

Jack Bodell 201 lbs beat Joe Bugner 215 lbs by PTS in round 15 of 15

• Date: 1971-09-27
• Location: Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
• Referee: George Smith 74.75-71.5

"At 31, after nine years of slugging, southpaw Jack Bodell outpointed Joe Bugner over 15 rounds at Wembley Monday night to win the European, British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. Bugner, 21, had his dreams of world supremacy shattered by an opponent who swung punches at him without pause and almost without subtlety. Bugner failed to take his chances Monday night. He had one moment - in the 12th round, when he sent Bodell reeling with a right. Bodell stood there with his arms hanging at his side, but Bugner simply stood back and let the opportunity pass." -Associated Press

Post fight comments

• "He was very awkward. His timing was completely different to anything I have met in the gymnasium, and it took me 12 rounds to understand what was going on." -Joe Bugner

• "It is a real setback. Joe just couldn't analyse Bodell's style. He looked like a big novice. I cannot understand what got into his head." -Andy Smith, Bugner's manager.

• "He is young and strong with years of fighting ahead of him, and I am sure he will come again." -Jack Bodell