HBO to follow boxing trainer in reality series ‘On Freddie Roach’

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

For those who still mourn ‘Lights Out,’ there’s more boxing drama to come: ‘Friday Night Lights’ director Peter Berg will team up with HBO for the reality series ‘On Freddie Roach,’ the network announced on Tuesday. Due to premiere in 2012, the six-part series follows Roach -- a veteran boxing trainer who has worked with more than 20 world champions, including Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Oscar de la Hoya and Mike Tyson -- as he trains future champions and celebrity clients at his Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood. A 51-year-old bachelor who still lives next door to his mother, Roach is also fighting Parkinson’s disease, an illness that might be linked to his own boxing past.

‘We are truly excited about this innovative new reality series that will allow HBO to partner with Peter Berg,’ said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming, in a statement. ‘Freddie Roach is an extraordinary person and many of our subscribers are familiar with his superior work in training some of the world’s premier fighters. This will be a fascinating and unique series.’

ALSO:

HBO renews ‘Treme’ for a 3rd season

Nigel Lythgoe makes an ‘American Idol’ prediction

Mark Burnett brings ‘The Bible’ to the History channel

-- Melissa Maerz