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Roach Visits ALA Gym! (Updated)
PhilBoxing.com Wed, 20 Dec 2006

This afternoon, renowned trainer Freddie Roach paid a historic visit to the famed ALA Gym, home of some of Cebu's best fighters.
"Unbelievable! beautiful!," Roach exclaimed as he toured the sprawling, state-of-the-art complex with ALA Boxing Gym chief trainer Edito Villamor. The ALA Gym complex is made up of two boxing rings, fitness rooms, boxer's quarters, a running track, and a covered basketball court. "I would like to have this kind of gym in LA but I cannot afford it," Roach added.
Roach met with his Cebu-based boxers Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and Z Gorres and was introduced for the first time to another ALA budding star AJ Banal who is scheduled to leave for LA in January to train at Roach's Wildcard Gym.
"Absolutely!," Roach responded when asked whether Z Gorres is ready for Montiel, the current WBO super flyweight champion whom Gorres is challenging next year. As far as Bautista challenging Daniel Ponce de Leon for the WBO superbantam crown is concerned, Roach said "line them up."
Edito Villamor (right) tours celebrated trainer Freddie Roach to the sprawling ALA Gym in Cebu. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Roach (in green shirt) poses with ALA Boxing Gym trainers. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Top photo caption: Cebu Reunion. From left: Edito Villamor, Z Gorres, Freddie Roach and Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista. Photo by Dong Secuya.
SGG's Sammy Gello-ani was also on hand to welcome Roach. "It was so nice of Freddie to visit our gym. The boxers were thrilled to see him there," Gello-ani said. Roach, according to Gello-ani, took special notice of the 'moving heavy bags' which Roach said was not possible in his gym due to the limited space.
Roach, together with friend Billy Keane, were earlier being toured by host Rex "Wakee" Salud to some of Cebu's well-known tourist spots and beaches before dropping by at the ALA Gym in the afternoon.
"I would like to come back here and stay for a longer period of time," Roach said before thanking and saying goodbyes to everyone.
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