‘On Freddie Roach’ Boxing Series Premieres in January 2012

The new HBO boxing series, On Freddie Roach, is set to premiere on Friday, January 20, 2012. HBO just confirmed the premiere date along with details on the first two episodes of the six-episode series which is executive produced by Peter Berg (the upcoming sci-fi action film Battleship), Jim Lampley, Sarah Aubrey, and Michael Price.

The Story:

The unscripted show focuses on Freddie Roach, who owns and operates the famed Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, where he has produced a host of world champions. This intensely personal look at the world-famous boxing trainer chronicles his life and career against the backdrop of Parkinson’s disease, an ailment very likely linked to his own boxing past.

A native of Dedham, Mass., Freddie Roach has an extensive amateur boxing background. He fought as a professional under the tutelage of legendary Hall of Fame trainer Eddie Futch, ending his professional boxing career in 1987 with a record of 41 wins and 13 losses. Upon retiring, Roach became Futch’s apprentice.

In 1992, Mickey Rourke financed Roach’s first gym, the Outlaw Boxing Club. He has gone on to train more than 20 world champions, including Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Oscar de la Hoya and Mike Tyson. Roach has been honored five times as Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and has been inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. On Dec. 6, 2011, he was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced a unique partnership with Roach in an effort to ensure that America’s top amateur fighters have access to the finest training in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. This partnership will create a program allowing up to ten Olympic hopefuls to train at the Wild Card Gym, which has become synonymous with world-class performance.

On Freddie Roach January 2012 Episode Guide:

Episode #1: “Body Blow”
Debut: FRIDAY, JAN. 20 (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: Jan. 21 (10:30 a.m., midnight), 22 (10:00 a.m.), 23 (7:30 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 25 (6:00 p.m.) and 26 (10:45 a.m., 9:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Jan. 22 (11:50 p.m.) and 24 (9:30 p.m.)
Introduction to the life of Freddie Roach, boxing trainer and Parkinson’s patient.

Episode #2: “The Wild Card”
Debut: FRIDAY, JAN. 27 (9:30-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Jan 28 (11:30 a.m., 12:30 a.m.), 29 (11:30 a.m.) and 30 (7:30 p.m., 11:50 p.m.), and Feb. 1 (7:30 p.m.) and 2 (9:30 a.m., 8:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Jan. 29 (11:00 p.m.) and 31 (9:30 p.m.)
A routine day at the Wild Card Gym is suddenly thrown into chaos.