Frazier's Is For Sale

[JT Rock]

Frazier’s gym is on the market

By Michael Klein
Inquirer Columnist
Has the bell rung for boxing legend Joe Frazier? His landmark gym in North Philly went up for sale last week.

The 100-plus-year-old former ballroom at 2917 N. Broad St., where he began training shortly after he went pro more than 40 years ago, has a price tag of $2.4 million. "A chance to own a piece of history," says the listing from broker Lisa Coakley of Washington, D.C.

Last month, word circulated that the gym had closed for good and that a few boxers who trained there had been forced out. The champ's camp dismissed the talk of closing, saying the gym was temporarily down for renovations.

In a phone chat, Coakley said she had been told that Frazier, 64, was "retiring from boxing."
Contacted Thursday, Frazier manager Les Wolff countered that Frazier was not retiring and added that an outright sale of the building was only one option. He said Frazier would consider a joint venture with a developer to refurbish the place.

City records show that in March, a long-standing real estate tax debt of about $130,000 was settled.

"It's sad," said John DiSanto, a historian who runs Phillyboxinghistory.com, when told of the real estate listing.

Wolff said Frazier had licensing deals in the works. Frazier was booked to sing R&B last month on the CBS reality series Secret Talents of the Stars, but his appearance was scrapped when the show was canceled after one episode.

This part is probably good. I don't really want that to be one of the last images in my head of a legend.

Joe is actually a pretty decent singer... Back in the late 70's early 80's he did a show in the old palace theatre in Waterbury I was maybe 4-5 and my grandfather had his picture taken with him and he was pretty gracious from what my father said...

I have plans to meet Joe in the Friday Night Fight studio and I will bring one of the pictures to see if I can get his autograph... My grandfather passed away about a year after that show, but I feel it would be a nice thing to have Joe sign if he is gracious enough.. kinda like a good momento to tie in the short memories of my Grandfather and my passion for Boxing

[Youngblood]

Frazier’s gym is on the market

By Michael Klein
Inquirer Columnist
Has the bell rung for boxing legend Joe Frazier? His landmark gym in North Philly went up for sale last week.

The 100-plus-year-old former ballroom at 2917 N. Broad St., where he began training shortly after he went pro more than 40 years ago, has a price tag of $2.4 million. "A chance to own a piece of history," says the listing from broker Lisa Coakley of Washington, D.C.

Last month, word circulated that the gym had closed for good and that a few boxers who trained there had been forced out. The champ's camp dismissed the talk of closing, saying the gym was temporarily down for renovations.

In a phone chat, Coakley said she had been told that Frazier, 64, was "retiring from boxing."
Contacted Thursday, Frazier manager Les Wolff countered that Frazier was not retiring and added that an outright sale of the building was only one option. He said Frazier would consider a joint venture with a developer to refurbish the place.

City records show that in March, a long-standing real estate tax debt of about $130,000 was settled.

"It's sad," said John DiSanto, a historian who runs Phillyboxinghistory.com, when told of the real estate listing.

Wolff said Frazier had licensing deals in the works. Frazier was booked to sing R&B last month on the CBS reality series Secret Talents of the Stars, but his appearance was scrapped when the show was canceled after one episode.

This part is probably good. I don't really want that to be one of the last images in my head of a legend.

Joe is actually a pretty decent singer... Back in the late 70's early 80's he did a show in the old palace theatre in Waterbury I was maybe 4-5 and my grandfather had his picture taken with him and he was pretty gracious from what my father said...

I have plans to meet Joe in the Friday Night Fight studio and I will bring one of the pictures to see if I can get his autograph... My grandfather passed away about a year after that show, but I feel it would be a nice thing to have Joe sign if he is gracious enough.. kinda like a good momento to tie in the short memories of my Grandfather and my passion for Boxing

That's an interesting bit of personal nostalgia, so I understand it being linked with your memories and your grandfather. Also would certainly be cool to get the autograph.

It bothers, or moreso worries me sometimes when I see things like these reality shows, and icons such as Joe being on them. I only hope he'd be doing it for reasons as you suggest, in that he actually has talent and it is something he loves to do. Every time I see one of these shows and some star on it, I instantly get the impression they are dead broke and on Hardluck Avenue. Just really didn't want that to be the case.

So how much can I buy that autograph for once you get it? (you don't have to reply to that last part, I know the answer)

[JT Rock]

This part is probably good. I don't really want that to be one of the last images in my head of a legend.

Joe is actually a pretty decent singer... Back in the late 70's early 80's he did a show in the old palace theatre in Waterbury I was maybe 4-5 and my grandfather had his picture taken with him and he was pretty gracious from what my father said...

I have plans to meet Joe in the Friday Night Fight studio and I will bring one of the pictures to see if I can get his autograph... My grandfather passed away about a year after that show, but I feel it would be a nice thing to have Joe sign if he is gracious enough.. kinda like a good momento to tie in the short memories of my Grandfather and my passion for Boxing

That's an interesting bit of personal nostalgia, so I understand it being linked with your memories and your grandfather. Also would certainly be cool to get the autograph.

It bothers, or moreso worries me sometimes when I see things like these reality shows, and icons such as Joe being on them. I only hope he'd be doing it for reasons as you suggest, in that he actually has talent and it is something he loves to do. Every time I see one of these shows and some star on it, I instantly get the impression they are dead broke and on Hardluck Avenue. Just really didn't want that to be the case.

So how much can I buy that autograph for once you get it? (you don't have to reply to that last part, I know the answer)

Yea I know what you mean, I would assume Joe is having a bit of trouble and otherwise if he was well off couldnt be bothered to do a show like that, but being in a jam kinda puts him in a position to generate income... Sorta like you or I picking up more hours at work

[boozeboxer]

I bet it is in a part of town where you have to be like Joe Frazier to get to the place.

[JT Rock]

I bet it is in a part of town where you have to be like Joe Frazier to get to the place.

Booze is king of the one liners