That’s Chuck Wepner in the picture. He’s the guy Rocky was based on. There’s a statue of Rocky in Philly. There isn’t one of Joe Frazier. That is probably about to change.
After paying respects at the casket, Mayor Michael Nutter spoke of Frazier’s legacy, starting from the time a 13-year-old Nutter listened to one of Frazier’s three legendary fights against Muhammad Ali on a handheld radio at his house.
“Joe was always upbeat, an absolute pleasure to be around. Today isn’t just sad. It’s very, very sad,” said Nutter, recounting how Frazier called him the day after he was elected to his first term four years ago.
Noting that the memorial service wasn’t the time to “get into the particulars,” he continued that “we’re working with the family and when we’re in the position to do so, I hope to announce a long-lasting memorial to Joe in Philadelphia.”
Droves of fans pay respects to Joe Frazier at the Wells Fargo Center [NewsWorks]
