Spring Break
Frazier should be idolized in Philadelphia, not Rocky
Joby Martin
Issue date: 7/23/04 Section: Sports
Ali's victory in the greatest fight of all time makes him an easy choice for greatest fighter of all time. What most people don't know is that Ali had just entered his prime, while Frazier was just barely still clinging to his.
Those extra years of beatdowns had left Frazier almost completely blind in his left eye.
If you watch the tape of the fight, Frazier is constantly trying to force Ali to his right side, because that's the only way Frazier could see him.
Frazier's corner called the fight in the 14th round, although it became apparent that Smokin' Joe would've kept fighting until his last breath. Ali later said that the fight was "the closest I've ever come to death."
Frazier's place in history is, sadly, the quintessential runner up. His legacy will always lie in the shadow of Ali. But that is what this city is all about. Not about scripts and screenplays and Oscars. Philadelphia doesn't get the girl. Philadelphia doesn't win the championship.
Hollywood endings simply don't happen here.
While cities with more glitz and flash like New York and Boston get all the attention, Philadelphia gets up and goes to work everyday, regardless of whether or not anyone is watching.
We are too, sadly, the quintessential runner up.
Frazier embodied it all, devoid of glamour, fighting on with or without the adoration of the public eye. Frazier made this city proud, even though it chooses not to acknowledge him.
Burn the Rocky statue. Melt it down and build back up into the image of something Philadelphians can truly be proud of - one of their own.
Joby Martin is a sophomore majoring in communications.
Those extra years of beatdowns had left Frazier almost completely blind in his left eye.
If you watch the tape of the fight, Frazier is constantly trying to force Ali to his right side, because that's the only way Frazier could see him.
Frazier's corner called the fight in the 14th round, although it became apparent that Smokin' Joe would've kept fighting until his last breath. Ali later said that the fight was "the closest I've ever come to death."
Frazier's place in history is, sadly, the quintessential runner up. His legacy will always lie in the shadow of Ali. But that is what this city is all about. Not about scripts and screenplays and Oscars. Philadelphia doesn't get the girl. Philadelphia doesn't win the championship.
Hollywood endings simply don't happen here.
While cities with more glitz and flash like New York and Boston get all the attention, Philadelphia gets up and goes to work everyday, regardless of whether or not anyone is watching.
We are too, sadly, the quintessential runner up.
Frazier embodied it all, devoid of glamour, fighting on with or without the adoration of the public eye. Frazier made this city proud, even though it chooses not to acknowledge him.
Burn the Rocky statue. Melt it down and build back up into the image of something Philadelphians can truly be proud of - one of their own.
Joby Martin is a sophomore majoring in communications.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
juan
posted 5/14/07 @ 7:23 AM EST
i agree with you, but muhammad ali never knocked frazier down, oscar bonvena and george foreman did
Greg
posted 3/09/08 @ 11:47 AM EST
Mr. Martin, I am a stone sculptor and am currently trying to organize funding for just such a statue.
p m
posted 7/08/08 @ 10:39 AM EST
I am working on creating a 30foot cut out of Joe Frazier to sit behind the Rocky statue. I am a graduate student at Uarts and believe Smokin-Joe needs to be vindicated. (Continued…)
Post a Comment