- Freddie Roach is an American boxing trainer and a former professional boxer
- He retired early due to Parkison’s disease symptoms
- He got married to his wife Marie Spivey in 2023 in a boxing style at his gym
Former professional boxer Freddie Roach amused many when he held his wedding in his boxing gym, dressed in his usual gym clothes, a function that honored the place where he spent most of his life and career.
The 63-year-old got married to his wife Marie Spivey in a colorful wedding that came in a boxing style, an indication of how much the boxer adores his boxing career. This was the first time the trainer was married.
Roach was influenced into becoming a boxer by his father who was a former boxer and challenging circumstances in his upbringing. He began as an amateur boxer and then became a professional lightweight.
He hung his boots in 1986 after fighting professionally for eight years, when he was 26-years-old, a decision that was influenced by early signs of Parkinson’s disease. However, his love for the sport was not gone and he took a job as an assistant to his former trainer Eddie Futch.
Roach is currently a Hall of Fame trainer whose impact goes beyond wins and titles, having trained the best boxers like Georges St-Pierre.
FREDDIE ROACH DEALING WITH PARKINSON DISEASE
Roach was diagnosed with Parkinson disease at the age of 27 and he manages it through medication as well as boxing hitch is a therapy itself.
Freddie Roach. Photo/ESPN
This is a neurological disorder that is related to damage in the brain. It affects the nervous system, specifically the brain which is the control center for nerves. While the disease is related to a breakdown of brain cells, it can also imply an external cause.
In Roach’s case, he ended his boxing career in fighting after developing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Some of the symptoms of the condition include:
- Shaking of a body part, mostly the hands
- Stiffness of the limbs
- Slowness of movement
- Difficulty with balance and coordination
- Speech problems
- Difficulty swallowing
- Depression
- Dementia
The disease has no cure but there are treatments that can help in managing the symptoms like medication, surgery and physical therapy. His wife is supportive in helping him manage his medication and help him run his day to day activities that need help.
FREDDIE ROACH WIFE
After dedicating most of his life in his boxing career, Roach decided to settle down with his long term friend Marie Spivey in June 2023, in a wedding ceremony that was purely a boxing theme. It was held in his boxing gym, dressed in his usual gym clothes, a function that honored the place where he spent most of his life and career.
FREDDIE ROACH CAREER
Freddie is an American boxing legend who has had a successful boxing career before transitioning to a trainer. He started boxing with the New England amateur scene where he won several multiple Golden Glove titles.
Freddie Roach. Photo/Sky Sports
He then became a professional boxer who fought at lightweight and he began by winning his first 10 fights, with his record climbing to 26-1 before making a turning point in his career while he started experiencing Parkison’s disease symptoms.
This limited him to boxing as he needed medication and was not fit to fight. Unable to fight, he took a job as an assistant to his former trainer, which was unpaid for. This made him his right hand man for five years and during this time, he gathered enough knowledge to approach training.
ROACH CHAMPIONS LEGACY
Roach had a great opportunity after he was hired by actor Mickey Rourke and he trained the world’s best boxers including Miguel Cotto, UFC legend George T-Pierre, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and James Toney among others.
Having trained the best, he became a sought-after trainer due to his ability to develop strategies and adapting to opponents. He is currently a Hall of Fame trainer and continues to inspire and coach.
He is credited with helping the best boxers train and achieve their success in the ring.
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