| |
|
Roach now a ?son? of Gensan
By Edwin G. Espejo PhilBoxing.com Tue, 05 Nov 2013

Multi-awarded boxing coach Freddie Roach, who molded Manny Pacquiao into a fearsome knockout machine, has been adopted ?son? of General Santos City.
In a resolution passed this morning?s 17th regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, November 5, members of the city council cited Roach?s role in the phenomenal rise of Pacquiao into boxing stardom.
Roach first took Pacquiao under his wings in 2001 and promptly steered Pacquiao into winning his second world boxing crown by having himself in the Filipino?s corner when the latter knocked out Lehlo Ledwaba in the 6th round that year.
Since then, their partnership has spanned more than 12 years and six more world championship in as many more division, making Pacquiao the only professional boxer to win world boxing championships in 8 different weight divisions.
Sponsored by Pacquiao?s longtime lawyer and now city councilor Franklin Gacal Jr, the resolution made the 53-year old coach, the most recognizable foreigner in the city today.
Roach is in town for the final leg of Pacquiao?s training and has been deluged by fans eager to have their pictures taken with him.
He often roams around SM City Gensan, just across Pacquiao?s Wild Card Gym named after the American?s LA gym where Pacquiao have been training since they first met.
This is the first time since 2005 that Pacquiao did not have a single training day in Roach?s gym in Los Angeles.
Roach has trained several world boxing champions but it is his relationship with Pacquiao that earned him Coach of the Year in four separate years by the Boxing Writers Association of America, in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
Roach was present when the city council passed the resolution.
It was also covered by HBO which is doing a 24/7 special on Pacquiao?s return to the ring against Brandon Rios on November 24 in Macau.
Roach later posed with city officials at the main entrance of the city council building.

Click here to view a list of other articles written by Edwin G. Espejo.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Is Floyd chickening out? By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout , Wed, 01 Apr 2026PBF president Almario dies By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 20262 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 01 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6 By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54 , Tue, 31 Mar 2026ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout , Tue, 31 Mar 202613-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20 , Tue, 31 Mar 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER , Tue, 31 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 202660 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire , Mon, 30 Mar 2026Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026Fundora 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 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|