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12:29 AM / Saturday August 8, 2026

12 Mar 2021

Philadelphia boxing legend Joe Frazier honored with statue and mural

March 12, 2021 Category: Sports Posted by:

ABOVE PHOTO: Joe Fraizer Muhammad Ali statue (Photo: Webster Riddick)

Philadelphia boxing legend Joe Frazier is honored with a statue and mural on the 50th anniversary of the “Fight of the Century” between himself and champ Muhammad Ali.

Friends and family of former World Heavyweight Champion and  Philadelphia sport legend Joe Frazier celebrated his memory two places last week. 

A new 9 foot tall, 1,600 pound statue was unveiled at the new Joe Hand Gym in Feasterville, Pennsylvania on the 50th anniversary of the Joe Frazier/Muhammad Ali fight which took place on March 8, 1971.

From left: statue designer Chris Collins, Weatta Frazier Collins, Joe Hand Jr., Dr. Nicholas, Eric DePace, Miss Downing, Joe Frazier Jr. and Derek Frazier. (Photo: Webster Riddick)

The statue was created to be the new signature piece of hope, dreams, and inspiration to future generations of fighters who train at the new Joe Hand Gym. Hand was one of Frazier’s managers.

The statue was designed by Chris Collins. It was originally commissioned by Dr. Nicholas DePace for use in the future Philadelphia Museum of Sports but will now reside in Joe Hand Gym.

Ernel Martinez (Photo: Bill Z. Foster)

Mural Dedication Ceremony – “Heart of a Champion: Tribute to Smokin’ Joe Frazier”

On March 8, Mural Arts Philadelphia dedicated a new mural on 1302 W. Allegheny Ave. to honor Joe Frazier on the 50th anniversary of the “Fight of the Century.”

During the event, Frazier’s family and other VIPs dedicated the mural. Mural Arts artist Ernel Martinez worked with the Frazier family and current boxers at the Athletic Recreation Center to create a design that captured the spirit of Philadelphia’s favorite fighter.

The Frazier family; Jane Golden, exec. dir of Mural Arts Philadelphia and other VIPs gather to celebrate Joe’s beautiful mural.

ABOVE PHOTO: Joe Fraizer mural (Photo: Bill Z. Foster)

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