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Manny Pacquiao Celebrates as LA Dept. of Transport Honors His Legendary Coach With Special Gesture

Originally posted on EssentiallySports | By Sudeep Sinha | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 11:37 PM ET

Roaming the alleys of General Santos City, Manny Pacquiao could hardly have imagined the leap his boxing career would take when he landed in the United States in 2001. At just 22, the former flyweight champion was in search of a new trainer. On a friend’s recommendation, he walked into the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood—where he first met the man who would guide him through the rest of his legendary career.

Eight divisions, 73 fights, Freddie Roach helped ‘Pacman’ conquer it all. Earlier this year, the 46-year-old stepped out of retirement to face Mario Barrios, once again with Roach in his corner. Though victory eluded him, his performance reflected the discipline Roach had instilled in him. Recently, Pacquiao stood alongside the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to honor his lifelong coach—celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Wild Card Boxing Club.

The signs are up, and it’s official

Earlier today, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez took to Instagram to announce that the intersection outside the famed Wild Card Boxing Club has officially been named ‘Freddie Roach Square.’ “The signs are up and it’s official – the intersection outside of [Wild Card Boxing Club] will now be known as [Freddie Roach] square,” Martinez wrote in his post. “Thanks to [Manny Pacquiao] for celebrating with us and to [LA Dept. of Transport] for putting up the new signs!”

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A post shared by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez (@cd13losangeles)

Martinez shared photos from the event, including moments of him standing with Roach in front of the new signs, and Manny Pacquiao joining in to celebrate inside the gym. The atmosphere was filled with joy and pride as the community honored one of boxing’s greatest trainers. Roach himself later commented on the post, expressing his gratitude: “Can not thank everyone enough! Humbled and honored. Thank you so very much.”

The sign now standing outside the Wild Card Boxing Club reads: “Freddie Roach Square / Hall of Fame Trainer / Wild Card Boxing Club – EST. 1995 / ‘It ain’t easy.’” Still, even this symbolic gesture may only scratch the surface of the impact Roach has had on boxing.

Freddie Roach beyond Manny Pacquiao

While Freddie Roach is most often associated with his iconic partnership with Manny Pacquiao, his impact on boxing stretches far beyond the Filipino legend. Over the course of his career, Roach has trained more than 50 world champions, including greats like Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, James Toney, and, most recently, George Kambosos Jr.

His Hollywood-based Wild Card Boxing Club, opened in 1995, became a mecca for elite fighters worldwide, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s most sought-after trainers. A seven-time recipient of the Boxing Writers Association of America’s Trainer of the Year Award, Roach was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Remarkably, he achieved all of this while battling Parkinson’s disease, proving his resilience and dedication. Beyond Pacquiao, Roach’s legacy lies in shaping generations of fighters and redefining modern boxing training. What did you think of the honor bestowed upon Roach?

This article first appeared on EssentiallySports and was syndicated with permission.

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