| |
|
FORTY-NINE AND GOING STRONG!
By Ed de la Vega, DDS PhilBoxing.com Fri, 06 Mar 2009

Hollywood, CA: To many, today (March 5th) is just another day. But at the Wildcard Gym, it is something very special. It is Freddie Roach?s birthday.
At 49, the amiable Irishman could not be in any better shape. He is active as can be, in tip top shape and raring to do the almost eight weeks of hard grind to train Manny Pacquiao for his battle against the beer chugging Brit, Ricky Hatton on May 2 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
To cap the day, Team Pacquiao and a bunch of Roach?s friends presented Roach with yummy birthday cakes. They also hang a banner declaring the special day in the traditional Irish green color.
The cakes were meant to help him celebrate the day the old fashion way.
A pundit indicated that they were presented to him not to remind him that he is getting older, but to assure him that just like fine wine, he gets better as he ages.
Manny Pacquiao took the lead in presenting Freddie a Commemorative Frame with photos taken during the Pacquiao-De la Hoya fight.
Freddie Roach took all the best wishes and the gifts in stride and humble as he is, he was at a lost for words at the affection and respect Team Pacquiao and his friends have afforded him.
But, he played along and blew out the birthday candles.
From PhilBoxing, here?s a toast to you Freddie. We are positive, you will have many more to come.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Freddie Roach!
Top photo: Hall-of-Famer bound Roach blows the birthday candle during the celebration of his birthday at the Wildcard Gym today.

Roach (R) and Pacquiao pose with Pacquiao's birthday gift to Roach.

Pacquiao leads the singing of 'Happy Birthday' to Roach.

The cake is ready.
Photos by Miguel Salazar / MP Promotions.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara , Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES , Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ , Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj , Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18 , Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS) By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE , Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco , Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories , Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53 , Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON , Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General , Tue, 03 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|