For decades, the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art have been tied toRocky Balboa, the fictional underdog who became a cultural symbol. Now, with that statue shifting indoors for a while, the spotlight outside is turning toward a real fighter, Joe Frazier. A world champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and a man who fought and trained in the same city those steps overlook.
Suddenly, a long-running debate feels closer to a resolution. Because when you compare legacy to mythology, people in Philadelphia are asking a simple question: who actually represents the city? That’s where voices likeCharles Gallagher come in. Speaking from Overbrook Park, he didn’t hesitate to draw the line while speaking to CBS News.
“Smokin’ Joe Frazier was a real Philly fighter, a real guy, who really came up through the ranks,” Gallagher said. “He should be at the top, if anyone, because he’s a real Philadelphian. Rocky is make-believe.”…