FRAZIER, JOE & YANK DURHAM VINTAGE SIGNED PHOTO (PSA/DNA AUTHENTICATED)

Many past heavyweight greats were closely aligned with their trainer. Joe Louis had Jack Blackburn, Rocky Marciano had Charlie Goldman, Muhammad Ali had Angelo Dundee and “Smokin” Joe Frazier had Yancey “Yank” Durham. Yank remained with Frazier from 1961-73, encompassing his pro debut up to his 31st bout, and Frazier went 30-1 (25) with Yank in his ear. Among his 30 victims were Eddie Machen, Oscar Bonavena twice, George Chuvalo, Buster Mathis, Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis, Bob Foster, Joe Bugner and the biggest of all, Muhammad Ali, whom Joe defeated in the “Fight of The Century” in 1971. Yank Durham was lauded for the way he brought Frazier along when he turned pro after winning a gold medal at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. When Yank first started working with Frazier, Joe used to dance around the ring, mimicking Ali. Durham reined that in, conveying to Frazier that he was too short to fight on the outside as Ali did, and that to be successful Joe had to get inside and make his 73-inch reach work for him. When Frazier turned pro in 1965, Ali was the undisputed champ. And it was Durham who profoundly told Frazier that if he ever wanted to be the champ he would have to beat Ali who would be the one standing in his path when he got there. Frazier absorbed everything Durham said, and then worked hard to develop his style so he could nullify Ali’s jab, then work his body as he was cutting the ring off in the process. Offered here is an original, first generation photo of Joe Frazier and Yank Durham which has been signed by both in vintage hand. Authenticated by PSA/DNA and comes with their full LOA.
This is an original, first generation photo picturing Yank Durham and Joe Frazier. Both have signed this photo in vintage hand in blue ink. Light crease on lower left corner. Clean front and back. Bold, clear image. Mild edge wear. 8" x 10." Come with full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.