WHEREAS, “Smokin’” Joe Frazier fell in love with the sport of boxing from a young age, wanting to follow in the footsteps of his favorite boxer, Joe Louis. Upon moving to Philadelphia, he took a job in a slaughterhouse, where he used sides of beef as punching bags to train, which later inspired an acclaimed scene in the film
Rocky
; and
WHEREAS, During Frazier’s amateur career, he won Golden Glove heavyweight championships in 1962, 1963, and 1964. He also earned a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He turned pro in August 1965, under trainer
Yank Durham, who gave him the memorable moniker “Smokin’ Joe,” referring to smoke coming off of Frazier’s boxing gloves.
By winter 1968, his record was 21-0. Within three years, Smokin’ Joe was fighting world-class opposition and in 1970, he beat Jimmy Ellis to win the heavyweight title that he would hold from February 16, 1970, until January 22, 1973; and
WHEREAS, On March 8, 1971, Frazier fought Muhammad Ali, in what was dubbed the “Fight of the Century,” defeating Ali in the 15th round. That bout was Ali’s first professional loss after
31 wins. For the first time in boxing history, the fight brought together two undefeated heavyweight champions fighting for the world championship; and
WHEREAS, “The Fight” is often called the greatest sporting event of the 20th century, and although it took place in New York City at Madison Square Garden, the roots of the saga are embedded in Philadelphia. Frazier trained in Philadelphia right across the Delaware River from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where Muhammad Ali lived in March 1971
; and
WHEREAS, The “Fight of the Century” was watched worldwide, with over 300 million around tuning in. One of the iconic moments of the fight came when Ali famously taunted Frazier, “Joe, don’t you know I’m God?” Frazier replied, “God, you’re in the wrong place tonight”; and
WHEREAS, The fight itself exceeded many fans’ expectations and went the full 15-round championship distance, with
Frazier retaining the title with a unanimous decision from the judges; and
WHEREAS, Ever since, Frazier has been consistently regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history. George Foreman, one of Frazier’s great rivals, memorably commented on Frazier’s legendary toughness that
"he would not back up from King Kong"
; and
WHEREAS, Frazier was not only an all-time great athlete, he was a devoted family man and citizen. His boxing gym in Philadelphia was a community hub and he mentored countless young fighters. His legacy has inspired generations of Philadelphia fighters to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby designates March 8th, 2023, as “Joe Frazier Day” in the City of Philadelphia in honor and recognition of “Smokin’” Joe Frazier’s heavyweight championship victory over Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joe Frazier as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End