| |
|
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.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust? By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal! , Sat, 28 Mar 2026GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos) By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov , Fri, 27 Mar 2026SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian , Fri, 27 Mar 202611-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi , Fri, 27 Mar 2026IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women , Fri, 27 Mar 2026Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026“Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS , Thu, 26 Mar 2026ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes , Thu, 26 Mar 2026Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card , Wed, 25 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|