Boxing: Joe Frazier, R.I.P.--a few photos, a few thoughts

Text and photos by George Molé

I knew almost nothing about Joe Frazier or the sport of boxing, and that's still not far from true.  But I had heard enough about Frazier's famous gym in North Philadelphia--where he himself had lived and trained and where, with his son Marvis, he had trained many other fighters both famous and obscure--that on a trip to Philly almost two years ago, I wanted to go by and see it.

Vacant.  Empty.  Nobody home. 

Some internet research revealed, as I recall, that the gym had been on the verge of closing for a while, generating a bit of drama each time it was imperiled and then reprieved, but finally had lost its lease and closed for good in 2008.

It was sad, really, to see this building, which had been the home and headquarters of a great American athlete, the site of a good bit of sports history, a focus of interest and excitement for the city, and an oasis of learning and discipline for many young people, reduced to just another vacant building in a neighborhood full of them.  You could still see some interesting details, like these boxing gloves engraved on the facade...

...and, taped to a receptionist's window visible when you peered in through the glass of the locked front doors...

...a homemade sign reading "Welcome to Smokin' Joe Frazier's Gym."

An article running this week in the Philadelphia media says that the gym building...

...is now a furniture store.  At least it's still standing; let's hope they landmark it.

Then, last December, I attended a holiday event given by Ring 8, one of the great organizations in the New York area dedicated to providing support for older fighters in need of medical care, financial help, housing or other necessities (another such group is Ring 10, of which I'm a member).  And there was Frazier (below right), present with Marvis (left) to receive the group's Father/Son Award.

Frazier seemed to show some of his age as he walked to the podium...

...and I don't recall much about his speech, other than an impression that it was short...

...and somewhat difficult to understand. But it was still Frazier.  And, best of all...

...he autographed my two Frazier/Ali posters.  Both were signed by Marvis as well...

...and this second one was also signed by former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks--who, like Frazier, was one of the few to beat Muhammad Ali.

I think I like the following photo the most...

...a tableau showing Spinks (in the red hat), Marvis, boxer Vinny Maddalone (standing, in the gray suit), an unidentified member of the U.S. military, and Frazier, displaying the familiar open-mouthed laugh that can be seen in many photos of him.  Who could have known he had less than a year to live?

This is my favorite Frazier quote, as recounted recently in the New York Post.  "Frazier came at Ali with a vengeance [during their Manila fight].  At one point Ali, gaining new respect for Frazier, whispered in his ear:  'Joe, they told me you was all washed up.’  [Frazier's] response to Ali was classic:  'They told you wrong, pretty boy.’’’

Even Spider-Man, that most quick-witted of superheroes, could not have riposted so sharply in the midst of combat.

But I like this quote, too, also from the Post, in which Frazier reflected on Ali and on mortality:  “I don’t have the burning hate anymore...I hope he lives a pleasant part of his life.  We all don’t make three scores and 10.  But with the little time we have left, I’d like to live it clean and live it fine and enjoy some of the things we all like to enjoy.  I can’t see nothing wrong with that. I’m hoping he can do these things, too.”

Considering that Ali (who always seemed to me an unadmirable boor) was supposed to be the wordsmith of the two, Frazier didn't do too badly at all in expressing himself.  Rest in peace.
 

Joe Frazier, 1944-2011

Boxing: Frazier, Spinks and company at the Ring 8 Holiday Event, last night

Several well-known prizefighters, and many decades of boxing history, were in the room last night--Sunday, 12/19/10--at the annual Ring 8-Veteran Boxers Association of New York Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony, held at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach, Queens.

Ring 8, one of several veteran boxers associations around the country, is a more-than-half-century-old organization dedicated to helping older boxers, and others associated with the sport, who are encountering financial or health problems.

Here are a few photographs from the evening.



Former boxing champion Emile Griffith

 
Emile Griffith (above), a former welterweight and middleweight champion, and a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, may be best known for a tragic 1962 fight in which his opponent, Benny Paret, died after being pummeled by Griffith--an incident that is said to have haunted Griffith ever since.  The boxer currently suffers from pugilistic dementia (a neurological problem, sometimes called being "punch-drunk," caused by blows to the head) and had obvious difficulty in chatting and signing autographs--although his painful struggle to do both for each person who approached was an indication of what is, from all accounts, his warm and generous nature.


Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier (right) with his son Marvis Frazier, also a former boxer.

 
One of the most famous names in boxing, Joe Frazier (above right)--best known for his three epic fights with Muhammad Ali, including 1975's "Thrilla in Manila"--was on hand with son Marvis (above left) to accept Ring 8's Father/Son Award.  Marvis, an ordained minister, was an amateur and professional boxer in his own right; although he's most remembered for spectacular losses to Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson, some consider him to have been an underrated and talented fighter with a solid overall record.



Joe Frazier signs autographs for attendees.

The Fraziers were attended by a few beefy bodyguards who controlled access to them, but they nonetheless chatted graciously with fans and signed memorabilia--including a couple of my Frazier/Ali posters.


From left:  Former world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, Marvis Frazier, heavyweight boxer Vinny Maddalone, unidentified member of the U.S. military, and Joe Frazier.

Heavyweight fighter Vinny Maddalone (above, 3rd from left), who had fought and lost to Tomas Adamek at Newark's Prudential Center only 10 days previously, was also at the event.  Maddalone is a board member of Ring 8, and the owner of the Ringside Bar and Grill in Whitestone, Queens.

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Leon Spinks (above left)--like Joe Frazier, a fighter most famous for his battles with Muhammad Ali--was present as well.  Spinks faced Ali in two 1978 fights, winning the first against all expectations to gain the championship but losing the second.  Spinks never again attained similar success, and retired from boxing in 1995.  And, sadly, like many boxers, he's not doing all that well post-retirement.  "He lives in Nebraska, and he has a job where he just sort of sweeps up around the YMCA or something," one boxing journalist said privately.