Cloverlay Gym®*

In 1968, Cloverlay Inc., a group of local investors supporting Frazier’s career, purchased this building to serve as his training facility. Cloverlay – the name was an amalgamation of “clover,” meaning good luck, and “overlay,” a British term for a good bed. Here at Cloverlay Gym Frazier prepared for significant bouts, including his matches against Ali and George Foreman. After retiring in 1975, Frazier acquired the gym, opening it to the public and training numerous boxers, as well as providing a space for local youth. Financial challenges led to the sale of the building in 2008. Despite changes in ownership and usage, the site remains a testament to Frazier’s impact on the community. In recognition of its historical significance, the gym was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. Additionally, in 2018, a portion of Glenwood Avenue near the gym was named “Smokin’ Joe Frazier Boulevard,” honoring his enduring legacy in Philadelphia.

Frazier’s contributions to boxing and his community are also commemorated by a 12-foot bronze statue at Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia, unveiled in 2015. This statue stands as a lasting tribute to his remarkable career and influence.