Philly Mayor Wants Joe Frazier Statue

(Associated Press) PHILADELPHIA -- Move over, Rocky. Make way for Smokin' Joe. The mayor of Philadelphia kicked off a campaign Wednesday to raise money for a statue of hometown boxing great Joe Frazier, a tribute he called "long overdue." Joined by members of Frazier's family, Mayor Michael Nutter praised the onetime heavyweight champion as a fearless, determined fighter and "a good human being" who gave back to the community. Frazier died last year of liver cancer at age 67. "Joe Frazier fought as a Philadelphian, and now it's our turn to fight for Joe's memory by erecting a statue that captures his indomitable spirit," Nutter said. The $150,000 fundraising goal includes money for maintenance of the memorial, which Nutter hopes to unveil by the end of 2013. "Smokin' Joe" 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 1975's "Thrilla in Manila." Frazier lost both rematches. On Wednesday, his eldest daughter, Renae Frazier-Martin, spoke proudly of her father and his athletic accomplishments, noting his 1964 Olympic gold medal and professional record of 34-2-1, with 27 knockouts. "To the world, he was Smokin' Joe Frazier ...," Frazier-Martin said. "To the city of Philadelphia, he was just Joe. He lived here, he worked here, he built here, he went to church here, he taught here, he gave here and -- don't forget -- he partied here, too." The Frazier memorial might finally quiet 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 -- it's actually a movie prop left over from "Rocky 3" -- stands beside the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Frazier's statue will be placed at Xfinity Live, an entertainment complex near Philadelphia's three sports stadiums. The property lies in the footprint of the now-demolished Spectrum, an arena where Frazier fought. Jeff Snyder, development director for the complex, announced a $25,000 corporate donation Wednesday to kick-start the collections. All contributions will be managed by the city's nonprofit organization, The Fund for Philadelphia. Separately, preservationists are seeking to save Frazier's former gym, which served as his training site and a neighborhood anchor in north Philadelphia. Frazier sold the building in 2008. Well deserved, make it happen ppl of Phil.

Sure would have been nice if Joe could have been alive to appreciate this. Better late than never though. As far as I know, it's pretty uncommon for monuments to be erected in honor of living people. The only time you usually see that is with dictators. lol Not the greatest example, but the U.S. Postal Service, for instance, only issues stamps with the likenesses of deceased people.

ok, that explains it. rocky marciano's gonna get his in broxton on the 23 of this month, so i guess its not that big a deal that joe hasn't gotten his yet. but joe was the embodiment of that city. Really? That's news to me. Rocky's been gone 43 years. They're only now going to honor him? I suppose it's probably because Broxton is a small town with limited resources and few people.

where can we donate ?

Sure would have been nice if Joe could have been alive to appreciate this. Better late than never though.

I seem to recall that the city of Philadelphia originally wanted the "Rocky" statue removed. The filmmakers left the prop behind, perhaps thinking they were doing someone a favor (most likely themselves, since it's good for publicity). Someone must've convinced the local politicians that the statue was a good thing and they kept it. The "Rocky" films precede Joe's death. I don't think it's insulting that the fictional character "Balboa" has a monument and he doesn't. Frazier died not too long ago and they're now making a push to honor him with a monument. I'd say everything is as it should be. ok, that explains it. rocky marciano's gonna get his in broxton on the 23 of this month, so i guess its not that big a deal that joe hasn't gotten his yet. but joe was the embodiment of that city.

It's about time

Rocky and Smokin' Joe are both more than deserving of statues. To this day, people are running their fat asses up those steps.

He beat Ali in the first fight and nobody knew what was going to happen in that third one if Frazier had came out for that last round. There were plenty of rumors surrounding it and how Ali was all but ready to go. Ali himself has said: "It was like death. Closest thing to dyin' that I know of." At the end of the "Thrilla in Manila," you see a visibly spent Ali slump into his stool, barely able to acknowledge his victory as his arm is raised by someone else. It's quite possible that he was about to lose that fight. Of course, we'll never know. Eddie Futch, Frazier's trainer, stopped the fight, fearing for Joe's health.

He doesn't deserve one tbh. I'd bet you're in the minority on that one. Frazier was the most renowned (real-life) fighter ever to come out of Philadelphia, a town known for its boxers. Beyond that, Joe didn't have any unusual moral shortcomings I'm aware of that might harm his image and his message. Many great baseball players and other notable athletes have had statues erected in their honor. Frazier was no less to boxing than they were to their respective sports. Without a shadow of a doubt, Joe deserves a statue in his hometown.

its a travesty that a ****ing fictional character has one, but he doesn't. cosign...........

its a travesty that a ****ing fictional character has one, but he doesn't. It's a travesty that Joe doesn't have one period. But Rocky is a philly icon, and it's a tourist destination, one of the most iconic scenes in modern film, so I think the statue should be there. I get where you are coming from though a fictional character is still important to American culture much like Sherlock Holmes is to the English what's wrong with celebrating them both Joe deserves one too but Rocky is part of Americana and should be celebrated what's wrong with celebrating both? one has a statue and the other one(who's actually a real life legend) doesn't. don't ask me what's wrong with celebrating both. I seem to recall that the city of Philadelphia originally wanted the "Rocky" statue removed. The filmmakers left the prop behind, perhaps thinking they were doing someone a favor (most likely themselves, since it's good for publicity). Someone must've convinced the local politicians that the statue was a good thing and they kept it. The "Rocky" films precede Joe's death. I don't think it's insulting that the fictional character "Balboa" has a monument and he doesn't. Frazier died not too long ago and they're now making a push to honor him with a monument. I'd say everything is as it should be.

what's wrong with celebrating both? one has a statue and the other one(who's actually a real life legend) doesn't. don't ask me what's wrong with celebrating both.

its a travesty that a ****ing fictional character has one, but he doesn't. a fictional character is still important to American culture much like Sherlock Holmes is to the English what's wrong with celebrating them both Joe deserves one too but Rocky is part of Americana and should be celebrated

About damn time, make it happen.

great, do it!!!!!!

joe frazier statue would be amazing!

its a travesty that a ****ing fictional character has one, but he doesn't.