Boxing World Mourns Saddening Demise of Coaching Icon, Who Trained 21 World Champions, at Age 82

At the age of 82, legendary boxing trainer Hector Roca, who trained 21 world champions at Gleason’s Gym, passed away on Tuesday. An immigrant, who at the age of 35 entered New York City and never left. He changed the lives of many who dreamt about becoming world champions in boxing. Roca, who earlier worked as a garment cutter in NYC, one day visited the Gleason’s Gym paying 25 cents.

This visit would change his life and others at Gleason’s Gym. After his saddening demise on Tuesday, several known figures took to Twitter and wished their condolences. Undoubtedly, Hector Roca has left an enormous impact on boxing and devoted athletes who have embraced the sport with their lives. He may be gone but the legendary coach and his motto – “Everyone can box” will continue to breathe and resonate.

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Promoters and boxers remember Hector Roca and his unforgettable contribution to boxing

Famous promoter Lou DiBella took to Twitter and prayed for Roca whom he called “one of #boxing’s good guys” in the game. According to DiBella, many would miss him. He wished love to his fighters, family and friends.

Meanwhile, former featherweight WBO world champion Heather Hardy, who, in Roca, discovered a fatherly figure, stated her irreplaceable loss through her tweet. “Today I lost my coach, my dad, my mentor and the only man in the world that I trust”, she said.

On the other hand, former boxer and now boxing promoter Dmitry Salita spoke about his first title fight with Roca accompanying him.

In another tweet, Salita shared a picture of him with Roca in the gym.

Similarly, professional boxer Melissa St. Vil, who is a multiple-time title challenger, was in disbelief.

Roca, the man who believed ‘everyone can box’

In his lifetime, Roca trained various people in the gym. Among others, Roca took pride in training young adults with disabilities. Once the legend even trained a woman with Parkinson’s who later was able to walk with all Roca’s and God’s blessings.

“Everyone can box. I trained a woman in a wheelchair with Parkinson’s and now she is walking. She is even boxing on her own two feet,” said Roca proud of what he did. Till the last breath of his life, Roca believed that Gleason’s Gym gave him everything.

What do you have to say about Hector Roca’s contribution to boxing? Let us know in the comments below.

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