As a city of fighters, it makes sense that boxers are elevated to the top of many Philadelphians’ collective memories and imaginations. And Smokin’ Joe Frazier stands out as one of the most legendary.
Beyond his athletic prowess, he helped to inspire the character Rocky Balboa from the iconic “Rocky” movies, and always championed Philadelphia, the city that helped make him a boxer.
Early Years
Joe Frazier was born in 1944 in South Carolina, the youngest of 12 kids. His parents were sharecroppers in the small coastal town of Beaufort, and watched boxing matches on the family television. Frazier showed early talent for the sport. He was just 10 years old when his uncle predicted he would be a heavyweight champion one day, pushing him to practice punching on a burlap bag filled with rocks and fruit.
Frazier dropped out of school at 13, and two years later he moved to New York City to live with his brother. Employment was scarce, so he stole cars to make money. This was not the life he had envisioned for himself, so his eyes turned towards Philadelphia. He married, and needing to support his wife, Florence, he found a job at a slaughterhouse in the City of Brotherly Love where he aimed to continue his boxing journey. He punched sides of beef at his workplace and jogged along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and up the Art Museum steps (yes, Rocky took these moves for the movies).
On the Boxing Stage
Frazier didn’t actually enter a boxing ring until 1961, when trainer Yank Durham recruited him at a gym where he worked out. Durham also eventually became his manager, praising Frazier’s determination and sheer power, saying, “Okay Joe, let’s see them gloves smoke,” giving the boxer his nickname, Smokin’ Joe Frazier.
Frazier started fighting competitively and became one of the best amateur heavyweight boxers in the country. He didn’t lose until a match in the 1964 Olympic trials. He nonetheless went to the Olympic games in Tokyo that year as an alternate; Buster Mathis, who had defeated Frazier in the trials, broke a knuckle while practicing and couldn’t box, so Frazier stepped in and won the gold medal.
Frazier’s left hook became legendary, despite a childhood injury caused by a family hog that made his left arm crooked with restricted motion.
In 1965 he went pro and had a stellar 11-0 record. By 1968 he was heavyweight champion, and held that title through 1973.
Eventually Frazier and Muhammad Ali (who also lived in Philly for some time) struck up a rivalry that resulted in three famous matches, the first of which Frazier won.
A Legacy in the City and Beyond
After Frazier retired in 1976, he opened a boxing gym in North Philly at 2917 N. Broad St. to connect with young people and teach them the sport. He even waived dues for those who couldn’t pay.
Joe Frazier died from cancer at the age of 67 in Philadelphia.
It wasn’t until after his death in 2015 that the sports legend was honored with a 12-foot bronze statue that was located at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex until it was moved this month to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.
