Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net
Artist: Stephen Layne
Joe Frazier Monument
Stephen Layne,
2015
* Statue of Joe Frazier
* standing person,
boxing gloves
* Also listed on the artist's site as the "Smokin' Joe" Frazier Monument and Smoking Joe Frazier's Monument. The Public Art Association simply lists it as Joe Frazier. Originally installed in front of Xfinity Live at the Southwest corner of 11th and Pattison. Moved to the current location June, 2026. The last 3 pictures are from the current location, including the infographic banner referencing Rocky.
* Replaced the moved Rocky
* inscription:
(banners on the fence, 2026)
WORKING CLASS ROOTS
FROM THE MEATPACKING FLOOR...
TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Before championship belts and sold-out arenas, Joe Frazier worked in a Philadelphia meatpacking plant and trained by punching sides of beef.
OLYMPIC GOLD
BEFORE HE WAS CHAMPION...
HE WON OLYMPIC GOLD.
Before becoming World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Frazier captured the heavyweight gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and brought glory home to the United States.
THESE STEPS.
JOE FRAZIER TRAINED HERE...
AND HE INSPIRED THE ROCKY CHARACTER
Smokin' Joe regularly ran the Art Museum steps as part of his training routine. His real-life discipline, grit, and work ethic embodied Philadelphia's fighting spirit,
and inspired the Rocky movie character known around the world.
THE LEFT HOOK
DESPITE A PHYSICAL DISADVANTAGE, HE TURNED IT INTO A WEAPON.
A childhood injury left Joe Frazier with limited use of his left arm. Through relentless training, he transformed it into one of the most
devastating left hooks in boxing history.
FIGHT OF THE CENTURY
THE MAN WHO FLOORED ALI... JOE DID IT FIRST
In the legendary 1971 "Fight of the Century," Joe Frazier knocked down Muhammad Ali and handed him the first professional loss of his career".
A CHAMPION'S LEGACY
CHAMPION INSIDE THE RING
CHAMPION OUTSIDE THE RING
Joe Frazier remains only one of a few athletes ever to be awarded the prestigious John Wanamaker Athletic Award TWICE in 1968 and 1971
as Philadelphia's Athlete of the Year.
Wanting to be remembered as "one of God's men," Smokin' Joe Frazier was more than a heavyweight champion. He was a role model, a leader, and a man of the people.
* East side of the Art Museum.
25th and the Parkway.
* 39.965125,-75.179300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* Exhibits: Athletic,
Moved,
Black Lives
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Joe Frazier page
+philamuseum.org
