Roach is the owner of the Wild Card Boxing Club/Gym in Los Angeles, and is currently one of the most popular trainers in boxing. Mickey Rourke, when he turned to boxing mid-way through his acting career, hired Roach to train him in Hollywood, CA. When Rourke decided to quit boxing, he gave gym equipment to Roach, and it can be found in the Wildcard to this day.
Roach's prized ward is seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. Roach also once trained Oscar De La Hoya for his May 5, 2007 superfight against Floyd Mayweather, Jr.. His first world champion was Virgil Hill, whom he took over from his own former trainer, Eddie Futch. Roach has trained 25 world champions to date.
In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), Roach has trained former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski and was one of his primary trainers for Arlovski's victory over Ben Rothwell on July 19 at Affliction's inaugural show.
He received mixed criticism from the MMA community after commenting on current WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko's boxing skills. He claimed that Fedor would be "killed" by his client Andrei Arlovski during their fight at Affliction: Day of Reckoning, should the champion remain standing. On January 24, Fedor knocked out Arlovski with an overhand right in the first round. Roach later criticized Fedor in saying "he just got lucky, I think."
He is also the current trainer for British Boxer Amir Khan, who became the WBA light welterweight World Champion on 18 July 2009, under Roach's tutelage.
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