Philadelphia Could Relocate Joe Frazier Statue
Philadelphia is considering moving the Smokin’ Joe Frazier statue from its South Philadelphia site. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Creative Philadelphia presented a proposal at a Philadelphia Art Commission meeting to…
Philadelphia is considering moving the Smokin' Joe Frazier statue from its South Philadelphia site.
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Creative Philadelphia presented a proposal at a Philadelphia Art Commission meeting to move the statue of "Smokin' Joe" to the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, where the Rocky statue is currently located.
According to a CBS Philadelphia report, the Philadelphia Art Commission voted earlier this year to move the Rocky statue to the top of the museum's steps. Before that move occurs, however, the Rocky statue will be placed indoors from April to August as part of a Rocky exhibit. It will move to the top of the museum's steps in the fall.
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"Relocating the Joe Frazier statue to this prominent civic and cultural space would increase public visibility for the statue, deepen educational opportunities, and create a respectful dialogue between two complementary representations of Philadelphia's spirit: Rocky Balboa as a symbol of hard work and aspiration, and Joe Frazier as the embodiment of those values lived out in real life," Marguerite Anglin, public art director of Creative Philadelphia, wrote in the proposal obtained by CBS Philadelphia.
The Frazier statue, created by Stephen Layne in 2014, was installed outside Stateside Live! at the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia in 2015. According to CBS Philadelphia, city funds would cover the approximately $150,000 relocation cost. Mayor Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Philadelphia Visitor Center, museum officials, and The Parkway Council all support the proposal to relocate Frazier's statue.
Frazier moved to Philly from South Carolina at age 15. He began boxing at the Police Athletic League and later founded Joe Frazier's Gym on North Broad Street in 1968. There, he mentored youth in the city and local boxers for 40 years. Frazier's career highlights include the 1971 Fight of the Century against Muhammad Ali and his pro record of 32-4-1 with 27 KOs.
His friends and family regard him as the real "Rocky of Philly." Frazier died in 2011 at 67.
