March 5, 2023, Hollywood, California -
Every modern boxing hall of fame known to man, it seems, has inducted Frederick Steven Roach.
Born 63 years ago, March 5, 1960, Freddie Roach, once of Dedham, Massachusetts, then Las Vegas, and now California has trained 27 world boxing champions (and counting) mainly at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.
Widely considered as one of the fight game’s best trainers, he was a celebrated amateur who developed into a crowd-pleasing professional under the guidance of the legendary trainer Eddie Futch- enshrinee for the 2023 West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame.
Mr. Roach was a relentless, pressure fighter who compiled a winning record of 40-13 (15 KOs) and was featured on ESPN up until his retirement in 1986.
His first world champion was Virgil Hill who won the WBA light heavyweight in 1987, followed by a cavalcade of stars like Mike Tyson, Oscar de la Hoya, Johnny Tapia, Miguel Cotto, James Toney, Julio Cesar Chavez, Lucia Rijker, Marlon Starling, Michael Moorer and Bernard Hopkins, just to name a few.
Of the many world champions that have trained with him, the most accomplished is our very own Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao- boxing’s one and only 8-division titleist.
His résumé as a coach and mentor is something every aspiring trainer in the gloved game has emulated, like Marvin Somodio and Julian Chua.
For the record, Mr. Roach has been enshrined in the following:
• World Boxing Hall of Fame,"Expanded Category" (Managers & Trainers), 2002
• California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee (Non-Boxer), 2006
• Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year (2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 & 2014)
• World Boxing Council (WBC) "Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008
• International Boxing Hall of Fame, Canastota, New York, United States Non-participant Inductee (Trainer of World Champions), 2012
• Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductee ("Trainers" Category), 2013
• USA Boxing Hall of Fame - Fighter, Trainer, Manager, 2021
(L-R) A fan and Freddie
Freddie Roach has developed a winning formula in and out of the ring through his fight I.Q. that is easily transmissible due to his calm demeanor.
More importantly, he has amassed a multitude of fans, myself included, who visit him at his Wild Card Gym on 1123 Vine Street in Hollywood.
From your friends at the Philippine Boxing Hall of Fame and PhilBoxing.com, Maligayang Kaarawan!
(L-R) Danovis “Dee” Pooler, Freddie Roach, and one one aspiring writer (March 4, 2023)
Notes:
All photos in this article are from the author.
Salamat (Thanks) to Marie Spivey for accommodating us during our impromptu visit.
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