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Philippines, 11 Mar 2026 |
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IMELDA MARCOS IS A BIG FAN OF FREDDIE ROACH By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com Sat, 18 Dec 2010  Freddie Roach (R) with former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos. GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Highly revered and Hall of Fame bound trainer Freddie Roach, together with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and wife Lovee, had a 4-hour luncheon with former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos at the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati recently, Roach has confided to PhilBoxing.com. Mrs Marcos apparently is a big fan of Freddie Roach who was instrumental in shaping Manny Pacquiao to become the most dangerous fighter in the world. "We talk about everything," said Roach. "Including Saddam Hussein and Fidel Castro. Mrs Marcos's husband, former Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos, was instrumental in bringing the third fight between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to Manila on October 1, 1975 popularly known as the 'Thrilla in Manila' who would become to be considered as the greatest fight of all time. Arum, who was then only 45 years old, promoted Muhammad Ali. Roach also said that they had a nice dinner with George Araneta, owner of the Araneta Coliseum where the Ali-Frazier 'Thrilla in Manila' was held, at Araneta's famous white house in Cubao. BAD IDEA A few hours before Friday's Manny Pacquiao birthday bash in General Santos, Roach went to the Gaisano department store alone to buy an undershirt to go with his Barong Tagalog. The department store was located just across the street fronting East Asia Royale Hotel where Roach was billeted. "It was a bad idea," Roach said. "When I went there I was mobbed and it took me a long time to untangle myself from photo requests to finally buy the shirt that I need." Not surprising because Roach has become one of the most recognizable faces in the Philippines. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.  |
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