Frazier hits a daughter with lawsuit

This one is more than just another father-daughter bout in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. It's Smokin' Joe vs. Sister Smoke.

Former heavyweight boxing champion "Smokin' " Joe Frazier has sued his daughter Jacquelyn "Sister Smoke" Frazier-Lyde, who is his former lawyer.

Frazier-Lyde, a candidate for municipal court judge, is a Villanova University School of Law graduate who was a college basketball star. At 38, she embarked on a boxing career and won a women's heavyweight title.

Frazier-Lyde did not return a call for comment to her campaign headquarters yesterday.

The suit, filed Monday, demands that Frazier-Lyde return her father's business records and account for his investments and royalty rights.

Frazier, 63, "still loves his daughter," but she refuses to release years' worth of business records, his lawyer said.

These records include documents, contracts, agreements, photos, films, memorabilia, recordings, archives, correspondence, material, writings, deeds and other interests related to efforts to market his image. The lawsuit cites Frazier's interest in Smokin' Joe's Inc., Joe's Corner restaurant, Joe's Limousine Service, Cloverlay sports management company, Joseph Frazier Gym, Joe's Knock-out Music, and the documentary In This Corner: Joe Frazier, among other assets.

"Joe doesn't think he's making what he thinks he should be making," said lawyer Michael P. Kelly of Wilmington, a former boxer representing the ex-champ. "He's not living an affluent lifestyle, and this is about getting him what he is entitled to. . . . We want to know what's coming and where it went."

Kelly stressed that "no one is pointing any fingers or accusing her of anything, and there's no allegation of wrongdoing." Frazier just wants his records returned, the lawyer said.