Columbus Boxing Examiner | Samuel Rossi
Word has hit the internet that legendary trainer and Parkinson's victim Freddie Roach is being sued by writer Alex Vidal over comments and actions directed toward the reporter. In July of last year, Vidal wrote a story entitled, 'Sick' Roach Misses Conepcion's Final Workout in Wild Card Gym. In that story, Vidal reported that Roach, who has suffered from Parkinson's Disease as a result of his days inside the ring, had been hospitalized with flu-like symptoms days prior to Concepcion's fight against Adam Carrera due to his illness. Several outlets have reported that Vidal's lawsuit came about after Roach confronted the writer over his piece.
Vidal claims that, after apologizing to Roach for the piece, the trainer threatened to "kill" the writer if he were ever again to write about his illness, and approached him in a physical nature. Celebrity gossip site TMZ is reporting that the trainer is being sued for "assault, battery, and infliction of emotional distress."
While I was not anywhere near the Wild Card Gym on the day Roach is said to have threatened the writer, I wish only to offer an endorsement of Freddie Roach's overall character.
Roach - a future first ballot hall-of-fame trainer of fighters like Manny Pacquiao, Virgil Hill, James Toney, and Mike Tyson - is a treasure to our sport. The wise and energetic trainer represents all that is good in the world of boxing. Here is a man who stands in the face of adversity at the dawn of every new day. Here is a man who offers fighters his knowledge and know-how in hopes that they do not end up suffering from the same life-crushing disease that currenly plagues him. Here is a man who has experienced the best and the worst that boxing has to offer. Freddie Roach is a man with no complaints.
As he nears the age of 50, Freddie Roach continues to face a debilitating and life-wrenching disease on a daily basis; a disease in which no cure nor victor is known. He suffers from an illness that that takes away abilities and luxuries with absolutely no remorse. Yet, he continues to stand - he continues to fight.
I am reminded of the legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano who once stood before an audience as a dying and cancer-riddled man and expressed his thoughts on the disease that weakened him. The former North Carolina State coach said that though his disease had the power to take away all of his physical abilities, it would never be able to touch his mind, his heart, nor his soul. Through his actions and demeanor, it is clear to me that Freddie Roach lives life by way of a similar mantra.
Roach is a man of strong mind. He is a genius in regards to the fight game, if there has ever been one. He is a man who understands the risks of this sport, as much as he knows the glory one can attain from it.
I think that Mr. Vidal, myself, and others in the boxing community should simply sit back and allow this man to continue passing along his wisdom to as many fighters as possible - with no commentary needed, other than words of praise.
In short, I am grateful to observe a world in which Freddie Roach is a teacher of men.
A carrier of courage's torch.
Source: Examiner.com
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