Born in
Swadlincote,
Derbyshire, Bodell started out as a
light heavyweight, winning the 1961
ABA championships and a bronze medal at the
European amateur championships the same year. Bodell turned professional in 1962 and won the
British heavyweight championship in 1969, before losing it to
Henry Cooper in his first defense. Bodell regained the title a year later by outpointing
Joe Bugner. He lost the European title in 1971 after a defeat by Spaniard José Manuel Urtaín, and after losing both his British and Commonwealth titles to a second-round knockout by
Danny McAlinden in June 1972, he retired from professional boxing. Among his notable fights were a first-round
knockout loss to
Jerry Quarry after just 64 seconds, and a points win over future world title contender
José Roman. Bodell's record was 58 wins (including 31 by knockout) and 13 losses. He died on 9 November 2016 at the age of 76. ==Professional boxing record==