Freddie Roach Celebrates 30th Anniversary!

Michele Chong

June 6, 2025

Ceremony at Wild Card Boxing Club

Legendary trainer Freddie Roach is celebrating his 30th anniversary since opening his famed Wild Card Boxing Club located in Hollywood, Calif.

The Hall of Fame boxing coach was honored by the city with an official sign declaring the retail space in which his gym resides as “Freddie Roach Square.” The large metal sign was just unveiled for all to view. And recently, a “mini” version of the same sign was featured at the Wild Card’s 30 Year Celebration event that took place on Sunday, May 18.

Here is my recap and photos from the KO day! Held outside in the parking lot of the gym, there was live music with a Mariachi band, the National Anthem performed by Officer Chris Reza, complimentary food stations (Churro Champ, Tacos 1986, Bubba’s Burger), and many former champs, current fighters, city officials, and peace officers attending the fiesta.

Roach is currently training global superstar Manny Pacquiao (who will return to the ring versus Mario Barrios on July 19). And the day before the Filipino champ’s return to LA, the 30th Anniversary party got underway with the bespectacled Roach rolling up in a vintage car with a live bagpipe performance accompanying this grand arrival. It was a full crowd with standing room only. And everyone taking in the sights and wanting to congratulate Freddie for all his achievements.

The bash was organized by the Wild Card crew, company sponsors, Roach’s wife Marie, PR legends Fred Sternburg and Rachel Charles and more. It was a fun-filled day with entertainment, a ceremony, dedication, speeches, and red carpet photo ops.\

Joining the festivities were boxers, cornermen, promoters, managers, commentators, authors, etc. including James Toney, Mark Magsayo, “Sugar” Cain Sandoval, Matty McHale, Hugo Centeno (who owns Churro champ with wife Ezra), Roxy Verduzco, Kahren Harutyunyan, Lateef Kayode, Mark Kriegel, Kieran Mulvaney, Chris Farina, Sammy Stewart, Juan “Superman” Jimenez, Julian Chua, Terry McCormack, Frank Espinoza, Frankie Espinoza, Steve Feder, Pepe Reilly, Nancy Rodriguez, Steve Bash, Alan Gomez, Steve Harpst, Juan “Panda” Martinez, Pepper Roach, Robert Shapiro, Daniel “Boone” Moses, and so many more.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) were also onsite to join in the celebration. Former boxing champ John Molina Jr. was there in his sheriff’s uniform as he is currently working as an LA County Sheriff. The SoCal fighter introduced me to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and LASD Commander Capt. Oscar Barragan. Officer John Negrete (LAPD Boxing) was also there supporting Team Roach. And the trainer has been working in tandem with the force. The Freddie Roach Youth Boxing Academy in East LA has been helping the youth in partnership with the LA County Sheriff’s Dept. and the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation.

LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez and Steve Nissen (Hollywood Chamber of Commerce) were also there as the Sunday gala also had presentations and special awards by the World Boxing Council (WBC) along with city proclamations. It was a memorable afternoon in sunny LA as Roach greeted everyone, posed for photos and signed autographs for the fans.

The anniversary party was a great day for the fight community and fans.

During his three decades as chief trainer at Wild Card, Freddie has been in the corner of countless contenders and world champions. While he is best known for coaching Manny Pacquiao, there have been so many prizefighters that have walked up the stairs to his storied boxing gym. Those boxing rings are saturated with blood, sweat and tears from so many Hall of Fame boxers and MMA fighters thru the years. And the City of Los Angeles came out in force to show appreciation for all that Roach (an ex-pro boxer too) has contributed to the sport both in and out of the ring.