Manny Pacquiao’s long time trainer Freddie Roach gets married inside Wild Card Boxing gym. –MANNY PACQUIAO TWITTER
MANILA, Philippines—Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has been in the boxing scene his whole life.
And it’s only fitting that he got married in the same ring where he had spent countless hours producing world champions in the sport.
Roach, 63, kept it simple but meaningful when he tied the knot with his longtime partner Marie Spivey on Saturday (Manila time) at Wild Card Boxing Club as if he came prepared to train one of his wards.
“Made it official! Thank you to everyone!” Roach wrote on Instagram.
His most celebrated student, Manny Pacquiao made sure to send his well wishes.
“Mazel Tov, Marie and @FreddieRoach on your wedding today. A lifetime of happiness to you both,” said Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division champion, in a tweet.
Mazel Tov, Marie and @FreddieRoach on your wedding today. A lifetime of happiness to you both. pic.twitter.com/bd9vvhMDp9
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) June 17, 2023
Roach, who considers the Filipino ring icon the greatest boxer ever, first handled Pacquiao in 2001 in his United States debut against South African champion Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF super bantamweight title.
With Roach in his corner, Pacquiao delivered one of the best performances of his career by dominating Ledwaba in six rounds despite short notice.
Miguel Cotto, who also went under the tutelage of Roach, extended his congratulations.
“CONGRATULATIONS @freddieroach and Marie. I wish you all the best and God Bless you forever. You guys always look amazing together. Very Happy For you both. Much love and respect,” said Cotto, a four-division champion who retired in 2017.
Another Filipino in Mark Magsayo gave a message to his former trainer.
“Love always wins,” Magsayo commented on Roach’s post.
Roach trained Magsayo when he won the WBC featherweight belt with a victory over Gary Russell Jr. in February 2022.