HBO Producing Freddie Roach Reality Series, Directed by Peter Berg

HBO has announced that they will be producing a six-episode reality series -- they prefer the term "cinéma-vérité" because it sounds less like "The Jersey Shore" -- featuring Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach. Peter Berg will direct the series, called "On Freddie Roach," which will debut in early 2012.

Roach, 51, has shot to stardom over the years as the trainer and often mouthpiece for superstar Pacquiao, and has also served as a trainer for Mike Tyson, Oscar de la Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Israel Vazquez, and others. Roach is a multiple-time BWAA Trainer of the Year award winner for his work with Pacquiao, most notably.

As a director, Berg has been at the helm of Hancock, The Kingdom and The Rundown, and as an actor is probably best-known for his role in Cop Land. He's found his most critical success as an executive producer behind "Friday Night Lights."

"HBO’s enthusiasm in supporting a less-conventional, vérité style of storytelling is why they continue to create original and truly innovative programming," said Peter Berg.  "It’s why they are the best and we are very excited to be working with them."

From the press release:

The cameras will follow Roach as he works with future stars, engages the continuous stream of celebrity visitors to his gym, finds time to sort through and balance his myriad of outside interests, and manages his new role with USA Boxing, all while fighting Parkinson’s disease, an ailment very likely linked to his own boxing past.

Roach is an interesting enough character and person in his own right that I'm actually interested in watching the show, and also the fact that the focus won't be on his work with Pacquiao will be a nice change of pace. I know what Freddie and Manny are like. I'm interested in getting inside Freddie working with Lateef Kayode or some of the kids at the Wild Card who come in with Team USA.