Several years ago when I was commuting around Philadelphia — I drove past the iconic gym where the legendary Joe Frazier trained on North Broad Street. A colleague who traveled with me knew how much I loved Philly sports, and pointed it out to me so that I could appreciate the sight of the once famous destination of Philly boxing. Even in its partially dilapidated state with Joe Frazier’s name unmistakably etched into the front of its Horace Trumbauer late 19th century designed facade is indelibly imprinted in my mind forever and still jumps out at you in the approach to the stand alone structure.
For a city whose history runs deep with 19th century bareknuckle fighters like Jimmy Weeden and Billy Walker and boxing Hall of Famers like Jack Dempsey— Joe Frazier is as important to that Philadelphia history as the eight boxing championships that it hosted in the 1940s. The South Carolina native who settled in Philadelphia in 1959 — Smokin’ Joe Frazier would become widely considered as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters ever with a professional boxing record of 32–4–1, was the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1970–1973, and was the first professional fighter to defeat Muhammad Ali.
It’s been 48 years since the film ‘Rocky‘ was nominated for nine Academy Awards and whose lead character was partially based on professional boxer Joe Frazier. Even the gymnasium where Rocky Balboa trained is also partially based upon Frazier’s Gym on North Broad Street.
Still standing alone in all of its historic splendor at 2917 North Broad Street — Joe Frazier’s Gym was constructed sometime in the 1890s and served initially as a retail warehouse. Over the years — the building was utilized by different businesses including Benson Manufacturing Company.
The company that was a sponsor for Joe Frazier (Clovelay, Inc.) acquired the building for him to train in during 1968. Living above the gymnasium — Smokin’ Joe would train for some of his highest profile fights, including against Muhammed Ali and George Foreman. When Frazier finally retired in 1975 — he would purchase the building and make it available for the benefit of Philadelphia inner city youth.
Before his death in 2011 — Frazier would be forced to sell the building in 2008 due to debt issues. The building served as a furniture retailer until approximately 2020. In 2013 — the 2917 North Broad was added to the National Registry of Historic Places. In December of 2024 — Philadelphia’s 5th District passed legislation to attempt to stop its demolition.
For the City of Philadelphia — whose boxing roots run as deep as any sport — keep Joe Frazier’s gym. Keep it as a center of training for future generations of youth to follow. Keep it to honor an incredible athlete, like the Rocky statue at the foot of the Art Museum steps. Keep it as a shrine to one of boxing’s greatest. Keep it for all of that.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt is member of the York Road Historical Society and lives and works in Abington Township.
