IMELDA MARCOS IS A BIG FAN OF FREDDIE ROACH
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 18 Dec 2010
Freddie Roach (R) with former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Highly revered and Hall of Fame bound trainer Freddie Roach, together with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and wife Lovee, had a 4-hour luncheon with former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos at the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati recently, Roach has confided to PhilBoxing.com. Mrs Marcos apparently is a big fan of Freddie Roach who was instrumental in shaping Manny Pacquiao to become the most dangerous fighter in the world.
"We talk about everything," said Roach. "Including Saddam Hussein and Fidel Castro.
Mrs Marcos's husband, former Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos, was instrumental in bringing the third fight between boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to Manila on October 1, 1975 popularly known as the 'Thrilla in Manila' who would become to be considered as the greatest fight of all time. Arum, who was then only 45 years old, promoted Muhammad Ali.
Roach also said that they had a nice dinner with George Araneta, owner of the Araneta Coliseum where the Ali-Frazier 'Thrilla in Manila' was held, at Araneta's famous white house in Cubao.
BAD IDEA
A few hours before Friday's Manny Pacquiao birthday bash in General Santos, Roach went to the Gaisano department store alone to buy an undershirt to go with his Barong Tagalog. The department store was located just across the street fronting East Asia Royale Hotel where Roach was billeted.
"It was a bad idea," Roach said. "When I went there I was mobbed and it took me a long time to untangle myself from photo requests to finally buy the shirt that I need."
Not surprising because Roach has become one of the most recognizable faces in the Philippines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
CROCKER-DONOVAN II: INSIDE LOOK AT FIRST FACE-OFF IN BELFAST
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Former Panamanian WBA champ Jorge Lujan hospitalized
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Southern Sports Heroes Night on Sept. 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025