Joe Frazier’s Gym From ‘Fight of the Century’ Listed as Endangered Historic Building

The Fight of the Century marked the beginning of perhaps boxing's greatest rivalry ever, the first of three bouts between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier, and the only one from which Frazier emerged victorious.

Well, it may not be as famous as the "Rocky Steps" — the 72 steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art which  the gym where Frazier trained for the famous bout, Sylvester Stallone climed in the move Rocky — but a real-life boxing landmark is under threat. The gymnasium where Frazier prepared to face Ali, also located in Philadelphia, has been listed as one of the 11 most endangered historic places by the National Trust For Historic Preservation.

Currently housing a discount furniture store, the former warehouse has no formal government protection, meaning that the store's closure could potentially mean the end for the bulding itself. The trust has a goal of raising $10,000 for preservation of the building, as well as the cost of nominating the building for inclusion on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, as well as the National Register.

Frazier died last year at the age of 67.