Joe Frazier's Gym facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Joe Frazier's Gym
|
|
Joe Frazier's Gym in 2013.
|
|
| Built | c. 1895 |
|---|---|
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000257 |
| Added to NRHP | 4/30/2013 |
Joe Frazier's Gym was a famous training place. It belonged to the legendary American professional boxer, Joe Frazier. He trained here for many of his biggest fights. This included his amazing 1971 match against Muhammad Ali, known as the "Fight of the Century."
A Champion's Training Ground
Joe Frazier's Gym is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building itself is quite old, built around 1895. It was first used as a warehouse for things like window parts.
In 1968, a group of people called Cloverlay Inc. bought the building. They were an investment group, meaning they put money together to support Joe Frazier. They bought the building just for him to use as his training center.
This gym became the heart of Frazier's boxing career. He prepared for his most important fights right here. These included his championship battles against other boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Open to the Community
After Joe Frazier retired from boxing in 1975, he bought the gym himself. He then opened its doors to everyone. For the next 25 years, Frazier taught new boxers at the gym.
Some of the boxers he trained became very successful. These included Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, Duane Bobick, and Olympic Medalist Terrance Cauthen. The gym was also a special place for young people from the local community. It gave them a safe place to learn and train.
Joe Frazier even lived in an apartment right above the gym. However, he later had to sell the building in 2008.
Saving a Historic Place
In 2011, a company called Broad Enterprises Group L.L.C. bought the gym. Today, a furniture store uses the building.
Many people wanted to save this important piece of history. These "preservationists" worked hard to protect the gym. They wanted to make sure its story would not be forgotten.
Thanks to their efforts, Joe Frazier's Gym was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 2013. This means it is recognized as a very important historic site in the United States.
In April 2018, a street near the gym was given a new name. It was named "Smokin' Joe Frazier Boulevard" to honor the boxing champion.
