E109JG JACK BODELL
Jack Bodell to David Price Connection: British Heavyweights Who Fell Short
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
For a brief moment, southpaw heavyweight Jack Bowell was a British heavyweight who seemed well on his way to going places. Bodell had decisioned Joe Bugner in September 1971 to win the Commonwealth British Empire, BBB of C British Empire, and EBU European heavyweight champions simultaneously. Fighting between 1962 and 1972, Bodell, from Swadlincote, England, compiled a professional record of 58 wins and 13 losses in 71 contests, with 31 knockouts.
The British then tried to test Bodell’s ability on the next level, hoping Bodell could win a major step up fight and then get a shot at the likes of George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali, George Chuvalo, Ron Lyle, Jimmy Ellis and other heavyweight notables.
Bodell was then tested at Wembley in London against ‘The Great white Hope’ Jerry Quarry. The bout lasted only one minute and four seconds. After tripping over his own feet once but fighting on,Bodell got hit by a Quarry counter right hook and went down to the canvas. His legs gone, Bodell was counted out. Quarry was a class too good for Bodell.
Bodell, who had been stopped seven times previously, including by Henry Cooper, PieroTomasoni, Hubert Hilton, Freddie Mack, Renatos de Moraes, and StoffelWillemse, had emerged from the Bugner bout on a 12 bout winning streak.
Bodell knew only one way to fight. He had to come forward, suiting power hitting opponents who throw counter power shots to a glove. In fact, what was believed to be a slip was actually a short right hand to Bodell’s face which sent him down for a flash knockdown, which the referee did not call since Bodell got right back up and continued the bout. Quarry was timing Bowell for the final wallop, and the warning signs were there.
Quarry already knew tall and lanky come forward opponents like Bodell were tailor made for his style.Bodell came forward with a straight left, Quarry avoided it and came over the top with a classic right hand power counter punch.Bodell had some power, but was too slow on his feet. The power hit targets the chin with lightning speed and power.
More than four decades after Bodell lost all of his titles in the ring and was forgotten, David Price rose up as a British heavyweight prospect in the same build and style mold of Jack Bodell. Price stands 6’8”, more than seven inches taller than the 6’1” Bodell. Remember though, back in the day six feet was tall, and Jack Johnson was considered tall before Jess Willard came along.
Price, 19-3 with 16 knockouts, Liverpool, England, was stopped twice by world ranked Tony Thompson, and with his loss this past weekend to a shorter and stronger ErkanTepper for the European Heavyweight title in Ludwigsburg, Germany, Price’s career appeared to hit rock bottom. Price, knocked out in the second round, exposed himself like Bodell as a moving forward heavyweight who gets dismantled easily by heavy hitters. Like Bodell, Price has some power but his footwork is too slow, and his style is too easy to pick apart.
As to whether Tyson Fury is Britain’s next best heavyweight prospect, it remains to be seen. The comparisons between Bodell and Price are obvious. Bother were overhyped and got taken out in step up fight attempts. Bodell owned and operated a fish and chips restaurants after retirement from the ring. Perhaps Price should open his own seafood and steakhouse with his ring earnings. His chances of success are better there than in the ring. At this point in his boxing career, Price needs to be seriously consider other options.
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