Josip Bodrožić


Josip Bodrožić, a retired Australian-Croatian super heavyweight kickboxer, was born on 20 June 1973, in Melbourne, Australia. He was 2 meters tall and during his competitive career weighed approximately 120 kilograms.

Biography and career

At the age of 13 Bodrožić moved with his family to Kaštel Gomilica. He became active in amateur kickboxing, and competed in the European and World Championships until 2000, when he turned professional. Two of his most noted accomplishments were bronze medals at W.A.K.O., world championships under full contact rules 1997 in Gdańsk and again in 1999 in Caorle.
In 2000, as a professional, Bodrožić began competing overseas, often in K-1 promotions. His most famous fight was against Bellarusian Alexey Ignashov in 2003 at the K-1 Final Fight Stars War in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia—an event promoted by Orsat Zovko. Bodrožić lost the five-round fight by a split decision.
In Ugento|Ugento, Italy] in 2004], Bodrožić became the W.P.K.C. super heavyweight muay thai world champion, beating Hungarian Peter Varga in five rounds, dropping him down several times. In April 2004, he participated in K-1 Italy's Grand Prix 2004 in Milan losing to Jörgen Kruth in the semi finals.
In June 2004, Bodrožić became the K-1 Grand Prix BIH 2004 tournament champion. He won over Dževad Poturak in the quarter finals, had a walkthrough in the semi finals and finally won the tournament in a bout against Serbian Duško Basrak.

Arrest

In 2010, Bodrožić was arrested for possessing 2 kilograms of cannabis. He claimed innocence, asserting that the drugs were the property of Dragan Stojić. In prison, he attempted to commit suicide by electrocution, but survived and was later released on bail paid by his father.

Titles

Professional
Amateur