Joe Frazier Statue Eyes a New Home at the Art Museum

Philadelphia’s skyline is about to gain a new icon. The city is considering moving the statue of former heavyweight champion “Smokin’” Joe Frazier from its current spot near the sports arena to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a location that once hosted the famous Rocky statue. The proposal will be presented to the Art Commission next Wednesday. The commission already approved a plan for Rocky’s statue to return to the museum steps this fall, where it will be displayed inside the building for the first time. The Frazier move would place both figures side by side, creating a dialogue between myth and reality. Created in 2014 by sculptor Stephen Layne, the 12‑foot bronze captures Frazier moments after he bested Muhammad Ali in the 1971 “Fight of the Century. ” The piece has stood outside what is now Stateside Live for a decade and was donated to the city by Frazier’s family, supporters, and boxing legend Joe Hand. Frazier was a decorated athlete: an Olympic gold medalist in 1964, heavyweight champion from 1970 to 1973, and a fighter whose career inspired the fictional Rocky Balboa. He retired in 1981 after a draw with Floyd Cummings, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates with fans.The city estimates the relocation will cost about $150, 000. The plan has backing from Mayor Cherelle Parker, Councilmember Katherine Richardson, and state senators Sharif Street and Anthony Williams. They argue that placing the statue on a high‑traffic cultural landmark will honor real achievements alongside cinematic legends. Friends of Frazier, including his longtime friend and former physician Nicholas Depace, support the move. They believe the museum’s larger audience will give the statue more visibility than its current location near the Xfinity Center. The relocation also ties into a broader effort to celebrate Philadelphia’s heritage of determination and resilience. While the exact timeline remains unclear, Creative Philadelphia has not yet responded to requests for further details. The city’s art community watches closely as this potential shift could reshape how the public remembers one of its most iconic athletes.