Move Over, Rocky -- Smokin' Joe To Get His Own Philadelphia Statue
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The fictional Philadelphia boxer Rocky has had one for years, so it seems only fitting that the genuine Philadelphia champion should get one, too.
Mayor Michael Nutter today announced that a statue of world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier will be installed outside the Infinity Live complex, in the stadium area of South Philadelphia.
"He fought in a style that truly embodies the City of Philadelphia and what this city is all about," the mayor said today as he stood with Frazier's daughter and two sons to announce the beginning of fundraising for the statue.
They are hoping for $150,000 to commission the work and establish a maintenance fund.
Xfinity Live chipped in the first $25,000, and Mayor Nutter called on civic pride to raise the rest, citing Frazier's lifelong loyalty to the city -- and the city's influence on Frazier:
"Just like Philadelphia, Joe did get knocked down a couple times, but he always, always, always got back up -- always, no matter what."
This is a private project. A committee, including members of Frazier's family, will select the design and the sculptor. For more information, or to donate, go to frazierstatue.com.
