Joe Hand passes at 87

Philadelphia has been a pivotal city in boxing since the founding of Queensbury Rules. And over the past half century, a major factor in the structuring, implementation, and success of Philly boxing has been Joe Hand. An ex-cop from a family of policemen, Hand saw a newspaper article in 1967 about a group of businessmen forming an organization to financially support the career of a local boxer who had just triumphed in the Olympics…Joe Frazier. Hand took out a loan to join the now-legendary Cloverlay. Frazier’s rise to the heavyweight championship helped establish Hand as a major factor in local boxing, and he just kept going, expanding the scope of his activities while developing much of the success of local boxing.

Shortly after Frazier beat Ali in the “Fight of the Century”, Joe Hand Promotions was running closed-circuit telecasts of all major fights. Home TV had largely withdrawn from boxing after the end of the “Friday Night Fights”, and there were none of the alternate technologies that now make nearly every fight in the world available somehow or other. Instead, fans packed stadiums, auditoriums, and movie theaters to see Hand’s telecasts, launched in 1971. The technology ruled but would run its course and disappear, but not Joe Hand. Big fights are now sold to bars and restaurants and Joe Hand Promotions has expanded to soccer, golf, and UFC. But Hand wasn’t strictly at one remove from ringside. He promoted local boxing from club shows up to major attractions for years.

Sometimes overlooked was Joe’s participation and support of amateur boxing, where there is virtually no money but without which there would be no cash cows on Pay TV. He sponsored Golden Gloves tournaments and single events and also opened his own gym, which was a favorite of Bernard Hopkins and a popular training site for Mike  Tyson. Joe Hand Gym was a mecca for pros and amateurs both and sponsored an amateur team.

Joe fell ill with COVID and, despite hospitalization, was unable to turn the corner and defeat the Illness. But while his legacy will continue into the infinite future, Philly will not be without a living Joe Hand, as Joe Hand Jr has been active in his father’s footsteps for decades and will continue the legacy into the future. R.I.P., Joe. Philly boxing wouldn’t be the same without you.