There have been a lot of great trainers in boxing over the years. Al Dundee, Cus D’Amato, Lou Duva, are some of the older names that come to mind. Some more current trainers like Ronnie Shields, Buddy McGirt, Peter Manfredo Sr, Kevin Cunningham, and Barry Hunter, also are worthy of mention. One guy, Freddie Roach has risen above all of today’s trainers making the question a fair one. Is Freddie Roach a living legend?
What does someone have to accomplish to be considered a legend? I would say that the person must achieve greatness, and it should be someone that the history books will remember say, 50 years from now. Roach was a tough cat in the ring when he was fighting, and he is proving just as tough outside of the ring. His list of fighters that he has trained is simply amazing.
Manny Pacquiao Jose Benavidez Julio C?sar Ch?vez, Jr. Omar Ch?vez Amir Khan Andrei Arlovski Mike Tyson Bernard Hopkins Oscar De La Hoya (2007) Michael Moorer James Toney Wladimir Klitschko (assistant trainer) Israel V?zquez Gerry Pe?alosa Kahren Harutyunyan Bernabe Concepcion Bobby Pacquiao Jam battousai Santos Virgil Hill Dan Hardy Peter Manfredo Jr. Dimitri Kirilov Wayne McCullough Steve Collins Frankie Liles Anderson Silva Roman Karmazin Craig McEwan Marlon Starling Ana Julaton Shaquille O’Neal (in an episode of Shaq Vs.) Brian Minto
Above list compiled from Wikipedia
Roach has trained multiple world champions, and his prized champ Manny Pacquiao has become a living legend in his own rights. Roach turned Pacquiao, a great one handed fighter into a devastating legend killing two handed monster. Roach has an amazing ability work up a game plan, to exploit the opponents weakness, and to get his fighter to execute the plan. Pacquiao is living proof of this.
Roach with his famous glasses, and his unique look has become a boxing household name. Even here in Mississippi his pictures are found everywhere. Roach has been seen wearing a University of Southern Mississippi shirt. It’s posted on the college forum. Recently Freddie Roach brought in Jr Middleweight Shawn Porter, promoted by Prize Fight Promotions, based out of Tunica, Mississippi. So Roach’s reach is pretty amazing when you think about it.
Far away from Mississippi, Freddie Roach has become pretty famous somewhere else. In the Philippines, he’s probably viewed as the second most famous man behind Manny Pacquiao. Roach is swarmed by boxing fans no matter where he goes. Legends get this kind of treatment.
For those who have been honored enough to know him on a personal level, they will all tell you how humble he is. Roach has plenty of money, a nice house in Hollywood, and he finally drives a nice car. He’s not very versed on a computer, nor does he want to be. He is a simple man, with a boxing genious mind. The fame and fortune that he enjoys is kept in check by his own personality.
I would have to say that Roach is indeed a living legend. His resume speaks for itself.
