Mark Magsayo and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. –MAGSAYO FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines—WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo was delighted to present his trainer Freddie Roach with the WBC trainer belt for his victory over Gary Russell Jr.
Roach, regarded as one of the best trainers of all time, guided the undefeated Magsayo in his majority decision win over Russell last month. The victory earned Magsayo his first world title and ended the erstwhile champion’s reign that started in March 2015
“I am so happy and over the moon to present this belt to my Hall of Famer coach, the legend Freddie Roach Official and share the belt with my [Wild Card Boxing Club] family, ” said Magsayo in a Facebook post.
Magsayo played courier as he surprised Roach by personally delivering the Trainer Belt at Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles where he trained.
“It feels great,” said Roach of having taught Magsayo during his title fight.
Roach, who’s already a member of the USA Boxing Hall of Fame, trained legendary boxers Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, and James Toney.
The 61-year-old trainer was two-division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre’s boxing coach in his several defenses of the welterweight title and in his successful challenge for Michael Bisping’s middleweight strap.
“I’m lucky to have coach Freddie at my back all the time,” said Magsayo.
The WBC instituted the trainer belt in 2018 to recognize the coaches of its champions and one of the trainers who hold such hardware is Rachel Donaire, the wife and coach of bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire.