Freddie Roach BoxingInsider.com Exclusive Biofile Published by Scoop Malinowski Last Updated on August 18th, 2008

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Status: One of the top trainers in boxing today. Operates the world-renowned Wild Card Boxing Gym at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood, CA. Has trained James Toney, Mike Tyson, Virgil Hill, Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Manny Pacquiao, Michael Moorer, Johnny Tapia, among others. As a junior featherweight boxer was ranked #6 in the world in 1981 with a record of 27-1. 22 of his fights were televised by ESPN.

Ht: 5-7 Wt: 150

DOB: March 5, 1960 In: Boston, MA

Boxing Inspirations: “Ken Buchanan, Ruben Olivares, and Bobby Chacon.”

Hobbies/Leisure Time Activities: “I don’t have a hobby. I work in the gym ten hours a day. That’s it. I have a 37-inch plasma TV.”

Nicknames: “Baby Face. I never took a nickname. The Choir Boy. I never really liked either of them.”

Favorite Movie: “The Natural.”

Favorite TV Shows: “Law & Order, The Practice.”

Musical Tastes: “Listen to anything, I prefer to listen to rock & roll music, Bush, U2.”

First Boxing Memory: “I started fighting when I was six. I started going to the gym every day when I was 10, to Conley’s Gym. I wanted to play with my friends. It made my dad happy. My first tournament was when I was eight and I won the 50-pound division in the Junior Olympics (in Boston). Me and my four brothers all boxed as amateurs. My dad was a fighter and if you didn’t box in my family, life was more difficult.”

Childhood Dream: “Of course, be a world champion. That’s every fighter’s goal, I believe. Just to be happy was my biggest goal. Just be happy in life.”

Favorite Meal: “Pasta with red sauce.”

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Great Grains – every morning.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Haagen Dasz swiss almond, once a week, at least [laughs].”

First Job: “Tree surgeon in Boston, MA (age 15).”

First Car: “1968 maroon Oldsmobile, with no reverse.”

Current Car: “Lincoln SUV (black).”

Greatest Sports Moment: “As a trainer, I guess my first world champion. When Virgil Hill won the WBA Light Heavyweight title when I was 27 (KO 4 Leslie Stewart in Atlantic City in 1987. Virgil was a 3-1 underdog.”

Most Painful Moment: “Losing. I hate losing. Losing sucks.”

Funny Boxing Memory: “Well, every day at the gym, we have a lot of characters who come here. Watching Bruce ‘The Mouse’ Strauss, the greatest entertainer in boxing. I was watching him in Bismarck, North Dakota and they both hit each other at the same time. They both went down, they’re both laying there, the referee is counting. But Mouse got up first.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch: “Manny. Ruben Olivares – such a great finisher. Bobby Chacon. Kostya Tszyu – experienced, he could punch, he could get you out of there with both hands. Great professional. Oscar De La Hoya – when he fights, he brings it. A lot of people say he is a pretty boy but he brings it. James Toney is the most talented boxer I’ve worked with.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “I like to see people keep their word. When you shake hands and it’s a deal, then it’s a done deal.”

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