Flickr user nostri-imago
Frazier at right

First reporting September 21, updates at the bottom.

Burton's own Smokin' Joe Frazier next week will be awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor given to a South Carolina resident.

Frazier was born in Burton on Jan. 12, 1944, and is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight boxing champion.

The award will be given at a 6 p.m. event on Monday, September 27, at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

We hear Frazier will be in town with Larry Holmes, another former heavyweight champ. We know where they're staying (somewhere in downtown Beaufort) but figured it best not to release that and have them hounded with autograph-seekers.

The Island Packet has a brief on Frazier's recognition as does the Savannah Morning News.

Updated September 23: Want to meet the champ? City Java & News, part of City Loft Hotel, is holding a "Joe with Joe" session from 8:30 to 10 a.m. this coming Tuesday. Smokin' Joe will be available for photos and autographs. Find out more over at the City Loft blog.

Update September 26: The Island Packet has a nice piece about the award and Frazier's history; read it here.

Update September 27: The Joe Frazier event is on at the Waterfront Pavilion. Sorry for the confusion, we received conflicting reports but those closer to the event have told us it is on for the original location.