What was it like working with Hilary Swank for the first time for the film “Million Dollar Baby”?
Roca: It was terrible at first, because she had no experience, but it made my job so easy. She’s a good actress and actors can act like fighters, too. It made my job easy because she had to start from basics with me. She picked the art up quickly and sparred with some professional boxers, including Maureen Shea, who was in the New York Golden Gloves. This is why the movie looks so real. Ike: Please tell us about the first time you got involved in Boxing Roca: When I first came from Panama to New York City years ago, I was looking for opportunity. I started with the truck business, then one day, I passed by Gleason Gym, when it was located on Mahattan 32nd street, between 8 and 7th Avenue. My father and brother were both boxers. I learned the game with them. One day, I was passing by Gleason’s in Mahattan, at that time, you had to pay a dollar to watch people training, so one day I paid $1 to watch people train. Ike: What was it like working with Buddy McGirt, as a fighter? Roca: He was
