Plans to erect a statue of Joe Frazier are back on track, two years after the former heavyweight champion's death.

Frazier's statue was scheduled to be erected next year at an entertainment complex near Philadelphia's three sports stadiums near the now demolished Spectrum, an arena where he fought.

But plans to place the tribute in the same complex that is already home to statues of basketball star Julius Erving and the Stanley Cup champion Broad Street Bullies were sidetracked when the sculptor, Lawrence J Nowlan, died in August.

Philadelphia sculptor Stephen Lane has picked the project off the mat and was selected to create a piece that should be finished by the end of next year.

Frazier died, aged 67, on November 7 2011 after a brief battle with liver cancer.

Bernard Hopkins was among the prominent boosters who helped the city reach its $150 000 fundraising goal for the statue.

Smokin' Joe Frazier slugged his way to the heavyweight title in 1971 by becoming the first boxer to beat Muhammad Ali. They fought two more classic bouts, including the Thrilla in Manila in 1975 Frazier lost both rematches.

Lane is set to get started on the 2.7m statue he based off a photo of Frazier's knockdown of Ali.

"He just threw that Philly left hook and knocked Ali down," Lane said on Thursday. "That's the moment I thought was quintessential Joe. It was the big deal of his career."

The Frazier memorial may finally silence critics who have long derided the city for showering more brotherly love on fictional movie fighter Rocky Balboa than on a real champion.

A "statue" of Rocky – actually a movie prop left over from Rocky 3 – stands beside the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Weatta Collins, Frazier's daughter, was glad her father's statue would serve as a permanent reminder of all he did for the city and boxing.

"As long as people remember him," she said, "that would be a blessing. We're pretty grateful."