JACK BODELL has died at the age of 76.
Bodell started out at light-heavyweight. As an amateur he won the ABA championships in 1961 and a European bronze medal. As a professional he became the British and European heavyweight champion.
The Swadlincote man won the British title against Carl Gizzi in 1969 and lost his first defence of the belt to the legendary Henry Cooper.
In 1971 he won the European, British and Commonwealth heavyweight crowns when he outpointed Joe Bugner. He also took on Jerry Quarry, losing to him in the first round that same year.
Bodell opened a fish and chip shop in Coventry, which none other than Muhammad Ali paid a visit to in 1983.
