"The Fist" Joe Louis Monument

In the city of Detroit, located at the terminus of Woodward Avenue as it intersects with Jefferson Avenue, resides a sculpture of a “Black” forearm and fist, hung by what appear to be chains or cables from a triangular frame (pyramidal framework). It is sited directly across from a classical, allegorical statue known as The Spirit of Detroit, thrusting toward the futuristic pylon of Hart Plaza. The sculpture was created by the Mexican-American sculptor Robert Graham, and is dedicated to Joe Louis, an American professional boxer and the World Heavyweight Champion from 1937 to 1949. The dedication of the sculpture took place at October 16, 1986. It was inspired by the symbolic nature of a closed fist as a symbol of the boxer and his fight against racial injustice.