Boxing News

Freddie Roach to train De La Hoya for Mayweather Jr. bout

Jan 31, 2007, 2:06 GMT

Los Angeles, CA - WBC super welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya has chosen Freddie Roach as his trainer for a highly-anticipated May 5 title defense against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

De La Hoya had previously been trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr. However, the dynamics of a father training a boxer to fight his estranged son didn't sit well financially for Mayweather Sr.

Thus the announcement that De La Hoya will go with Roach in his corner for the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

'Freddie and I have known each other for many years, and I am very happy that at this point in my career he has accepted my offer to be my trainer,' De La Hoya said. 'I felt very humbled by the fact that many great trainers reached out and offered their services, but after sitting down with Freddie, I quickly realized that this is the man I want to have in my corner come May 5th. Freddie's accomplishments speak for themselves, and I look forward to working with him and getting in the best shape of my career to conquer yet another challenge.'

Roach was the Boxing Writers Association of America's Trainer of the Year in 2003. Since retiring as a boxer in 1986, Roach has trained 18 world champions, including Manny Pacquiao, James Toney, Mike Tyson, Virgil Hill, Israel Vazquez, and Wayne McCullough.

'I'm happy to be working with Oscar for this fight, which for a trainer is not only a dream opportunity, but a great challenge and responsibility,' Roach said. 'I'm going to do everything in my power, and I know Oscar will as well, to ensure victory on May 5th.'

De La Hoya (38-4, 30 KOs) is coming off a sixth-round technical knockout of Ricardo Mayorga last May to capture the WBC super welterweight title.

Mayweather Jr. (37-0, 24 KOs) scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Carlos Baldomir last November.

© 2007 The Sports Network