Did anyone meet Joe Frazier on his recent UK tour?

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 26 Feb 2005, 10:36

I was just wondering did anyone here meet Joe Frazier on his recent UK tour?

I noticed there was a letter in this weeks Boxing News complaining Frazier was charging £45 for a autograph. That does sound a little steep as you have already paid £X amount for a ticket etc. £20 fair enough but £45?

Anyway, anyone here go? How was Frazier etc?

Jamie Sanigar · Post by **Jamie Sanigar** » 26 Feb 2005, 11:30

My father (Chris Sanigar) and myself hosted a Joe Frazier Evening in Bristol on Weds night. Joe and his son Marvis were brilliant. Feedback from our punters was that they had a great night, Joe was witty and really entertaining at one stage breaking into song for the crowd.

Nothing was too much bother for Joe as he took time to talk and pose for photos. Naturally as promoters of the evening we had to re coup our costs not only from ticket sales but from memrobillia sales and an auction. I did read the letter in Boxing News but as far as i'm aware this was not the case on our evening.

states · Post by **states** » 26 Feb 2005, 23:11

45 Quid? Blimey. I hope he was keeping a note of how many he signed, so he could declare it to the taxman.....

Is it a case of him ripping people off though, or does he genuinely need the money? Either one would be a huge shame, although I don't suppose you can blame a guy who gave as much in the ring as he did for trading on his status as a fighter.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 27 Feb 2005, 08:58

Who gives a shit?

How many people get fighters to sign things, books, glossy photos, gloves etc for FREE then charge other fans big bucks for the items over the decades??

Joe wants his cut of the deal whether or not hes rich. The guy came from nothing and knows the value of money.

Good on you Joe, i'd do the same because i hate these memorabilia rip off merchants making an undeserved living off your back.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 27 Feb 2005, 11:09

I can imagine how fighters can get frustrated if they are signing things left right and centre and knowing that a lot of these things are ging to be sold for profit in the future. Fraziers real earning days as a fighter were over 25 years ago so really all he has is his name with which to earn his money... I'm sure a lot of what he earned in the 60s and 70s is gone... 20+ years is a long time and a lot of foodbills on... can't begrudge the man trying to get a little back.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 27 Feb 2005, 12:20

Maybe you guys are right. Of course I don't begrudge a great fighter like Frazier making some money. It's just that £45 sounded a lot when you already have paid £100/£50 for a ticket plus travel etc etc etc.

I am proberly just looking at this through the eyes of a genuine fan who would not dream of selling on a Frazier autograph for profit.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 27 Feb 2005, 15:46

I agree £45 is a bit steep if you have paid out to be there... hopefully the organizers made clear the fact that people would have to pay extra for autographs... otherwise it is a bit out of order... but down to the promoters really to make things clear.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 27 Feb 2005, 18:59

overhand_right wrote:Who gives a shit?

How many people get fighters to sign things, books, glossy photos, gloves etc for FREE then charge other fans big bucks for the items over the decades??

Joe wants his cut of the deal whether or not hes rich. The guy came from nothing and knows the value of money.

Good on you Joe, i'd do the same because i hate these memorabilia rip off merchants making an undeserved living off your back.

I agree, but for a genuine fan who just wants to get an autograph of one of their heroes it's a bit harsh.