After much deliberation, WBC super welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya has decided that the man to lead him into battle against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5^th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is the 2003 Boxing Writers Association of America’s Trainer of the Year and the leading candidate for the honor again this year, Freddie Roach.

“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,” said De La Hoya. “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.”

“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,” said Roach. “I’m going to do everything in my power, and I know Oscar will as well, to ensure victory on May 5^th.”

Pre-camp workouts have already begun for De La Hoya, with his training camp to officially kick off in Puerto Rico on March 1^st.

Roach, the BWAA’s Trainer of The Year in 2003, is a former pro fighter who shared the ring with former world champions Bobby Chacon, Hector Camacho, and Greg Haugen over the course of an eight year pro career.  After retiring in 1986, Roach carried on the teachings of the legendary Eddie Futch, and began molding champions as a trainer.  Since then, he has trained 18 world champions, including Manny Pacquiao, James Toney, Mike Tyson, Virgil Hill, Israel Vazquez, and Wayne McCullough, and is respected throughout the boxing community as one of the last true teachers in the sport.

De La Hoya (38-4, 30 KOs) is coming off a stirring sixth round TKO of Ricardo Mayorga last May to win the WBC super welterweight crown.  In the most highly-anticipated bout of this era, De La Hoya will defend his title against Mayweather in what is expected to be one of the biggest boxing events of all-time.

2-01-2007