Chuck Bodak

Vasil "Chuck" Bodak (June 3, 1916 - February 6, 2009) was an American boxing cutman who worked with over 50 world champions including Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano, Tommy Hearns, Julio Cesar Chavez, Evander Holyfield and Oscar De La Hoya.^[1]

Bodak trained Muhammad Ali, then named Cassius Clay, for the last four years of Clay's amateur career that culminated with the winning of a Gold Medal for the light-heavyweight competition at the 1960 Summer Olympic Games held in Rome, Italy.^[2]

One of the unique traits Bodak adopted was the placing of photos of his fighters on his forehead before fights.^[3]

Even though advancing in age, Bodak continued to work in the ring and was active in the boxing community until he suffered a stroke in 2007 at the age of 90.^[4]

Bodak was born June 3, 1916 in Gary, Indiana and died on February 6, 2009 in Orange County, California at the age of 92.

Awards and Recognition

Bodak was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, "Expanded Category" (Managers & Trainers).^[5]

In 1993, he was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club.

Acting Roles

Bodak played the role of Cesar's cutman in the 1999 film Play It to the Bone and portrayed himself in two documentaries, More Than Famous in 2003 and The Distance in 2006.^[6]

References

1. ^ Chuck Bodak passes Fightnews.com, February 6, 2009
2. ^ “GODFATHER” OF CUTMEN-CHUCK BODAK SUFFERS STROKE 02 September, 2007 by Pedro Fernandez, ringtalk.com
3. ^ Chuck Bodak 1916-2009 By Thomas Gerbasi, MaxBoxing.com (Feb 6, 2009)
4. ^ Cutman Chuck Bodak Update September 1 2008
5. ^ Chuck Bodak, boxrec.com
6. ^ IMDb profile of Vasil Chuck Bodak

External Links

• Chuck Bodak honored by the boxing world
• Boxing Loses True Hero in Chuck Bodak
• Chuck Bodak Interview conducted by Thomas Gerbasi

Persondata
Name	Bodak, Chuck
Alternative names	Bodak, Vasil Chuck
Short description	Legendary boxing cutman
Date of birth	June 3, 1916
Place of birth	Gary, Indiana
Date of death	February 6, 2009
Place of death	Laguna Hills, CA