In Honor of The Greatest: Historic Boxing Monuments Around The World

 It was 50 years ago today that Sonny Liston, one of the most feared men in sports, stared down a relatively unknown boxer from Louisville named Cassius Clay. Liston was favored 8-1 to come out on top. Instead, history was made. Clay’s historic thrashing of Liston cemented his status in boxing lore, but his decision the next day to change his name to Muhammad Ali ignited his legend. In honor of this historic day in boxing history, we’re lacing our gloves up for a pugilistic tour of great boxing monuments.

Los Angeles: Muhammad Ali Sculpture

Back in 2011, artist Michael Kalish unveiled his 22-foot-high Muhammad Ali sculpture in Los Angeles, consisting of 1,300 punching bags, 6.5 miles of stainless steel cable and 2,500 pounds of aluminum pipe. When you are paying tribute to one of the greatest—if not the greatest—boxer of all time, you better bring it. Kalish didn’t disappoint, enlisting the help of architectural firm Oyler Wu to ensure everything was accounted for. The sculpture was meticulously crafted, yet simple at the same time. Architects, artists and the general public alike lauded it throughout the nation.

Philadelphia: The Rocky Statue

The Rocky Statue is not only one of Philadelphia’s most famous pieces of public art, and one of the most famous boxing monuments in the world. The bronze statue was specifically designed for Rocky III, featuring the fictional Rocky Balboa, but it also naturally honored the boxing legend Rocky Marciano. Many people have triumphantly run up the Rocky Steps to the statue to mimic Rocky in the film. In turn, a great deal of publicity surrounded the City of Philadelphia. In fact, City Commerce Director Dick Doran went as far as to say director Sylvester Stallone had done more for the city’s image "than anyone since Ben Franklin."

Detroit: Monument to Joe Louis

Considered one of the greatest heavyweights to ever lace ‘em up, Joe Louis deserved a monument of epic proportions. And he received just that. Dedicated in 1986, the statue simply known as “The Fist” was brilliant in its simplicity. The 24-foot-long arm with a fisted hand hangs from a 24-foot-high pyramidal framework at Detroit’s Hart Plaza. The masterpiece by Mexican-American sculptor Robert Graham symbolized the power of Louis’ punch both inside and outside of the ring (Louis fought the Jim Crow laws of the time). It’s not easy being responsible for constructing a sculpture that honors an all-time great, and there are a variety of different ways Graham could have gone, but it’s safe to say he scored a knockout with a simple yet extremely powerful design.

Philadelphia: Joey Giardello Statue Project

Joey Giardello was the middleweight champion of the world from 1963 to 1965, but it was his determination and dedication that really won over the crowd. Icon, family man, inspiration: The Brooklyn native was a beloved figure since turning pro in 1948. The bronze Joey Giardello Statue Project in the East Passyunk Crossing section of South Philadelphia commemorates the people’s hero. Giardello’s formidable pose, along with the details of his face, makes the statue come alive as if Giardello is still with us. Artist Carl LeVotch, who boasts several impressive works throughout the world, created the statue.

Ohio: Davey Moore Statue

An eight-foot-tall statue in Springfield, Ohio, honors Davey Moore, who died in a championship boxing match against Sugar Ramos in 1963. The bronze statue sculpted by Mike Major ensures no one will ever forget the man whose life was tragically cut short in one of the most shocking and heart-breaking moments in boxing history. The story after Moore’s death is a testament to the people who were linked to the boxer. Ramos paid his respects to the statue in September, and Moore’s widow Geraldine Moore has never blamed Ramos for the tragic incident. The statue not only commemorates a valiant man, it’s also a symbol of how powerful and forgiving the human race can be. Warsaw and Colorado: U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Memorial On March 14, 1980, a flight carrying the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team tragically crashed in Warsaw, Poland, killing all 87 crew and passengers. Two identical statues were built in Warsaw and Colorado Springs to honor those who had fallen. The statues feature a boxer lying on a prism engraved with the names of all who had died in the crash. Not only do the statues themselves portray the gravity of the incident, they also show how people in different countries can come together in the aftermath. Boston: Tony DeMarco Statue On Oct. 20, 2012, a bronze statue of Italian American boxing great Tony DeMarco was unveiled at the corners of Hanover and Cross Streets in Boston's North End. DeMarco was known as the pride of the North End during his 71 career fights. The former undisputed welterweight champion of the world earned the nickname ‘The Flame and Fury of Fleet Street” as he slugged his way to 58 victories (33 via knockout). Harry Weber, the sculptor who created the famous Bobby Orr and Doug Flutie statues, expertly captures DeMarco swinging a left hook in the commemorative work of art.

Louisiana: Bare-Knuckle Brawl Monument

A monument to the great bare-knuckle brawl of 1870 can be found in Kenner, La. The brawl — featuring heavyweight boxing champion of England “Gypsy” Jem Mace and American heavyweight champion Tom Allen — was a brutal affair, lasting for 10 rounds and 44 minutes. Mace delivered one of the greatest beatings in boxing history, while Allen admirably gave it all he had, refusing to wilt under Mace’s heavy hands. By the end of it, Mace had won the first world heavyweight title. The bronze monument features both boxers in classic stances in the heat of the battle. South Africa: Nelson Mandela Statue Nelson Mandela was one of the most influential human beings who ever lived, and his death on Dec. 5 sent shockwaves throughout the world. In honor of a man who was a heavyweight boxer before he became a world-renowned activist and philanthropist, a five-meter-tall steel sculpture titled “Shadow Boxing” was unveiled in May in Johannesburg. The sculpture showcased Mandela sparring, based on the 1953 photograph of him standing toe-to-toe with professional boxer Jerry Moloi on the rooftop of the South African Associated Newspapers building. In his world-famous autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela famously wrote, “I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. I was intrigued by how one moved one’s body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match.”

Rome: Boxer at Rest

The Hellenistic bronze statue “Boxer at Rest” is one of the most famous boxing monuments of all time. Uncovered in Rome in 1885, the statue features a boxer slumped over with his arms on his knees. As Jerry Saltz of Vulture.com pointed out, meaning practically pours out of the figure, whether it’s the expression on his face or the way his hands or placed. The statue is thought to symbolize virtue and strength, and it’s a prime example of the spectacular artwork that was created during the Hellenistic period.