Freddie to coach US boxers in Olympics

LAS VEGAS—Freddie Roach will lend his training expertise and his Wild Card Gym to the US Olympic boxing team in the 2012 London Olympics.

Already inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Roach is known worldwide as chief trainer of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

The 50-year-old Roach has also been honored as Trainer of the Year a record five times by the Boxing Writers Association of America and is also an inductee into the New England Boxing Hall of Fame and the California Boxing Hall of Fame.

Roach’s appointment was announced by United States Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun, who, in a statement, thanked Roach and his team “for their willingness to help our boxers achieve their highest potential.”

A former amateur and professional boxer himself, Roach has been in the corner of 17 world champions, headed by Pacquiao and World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Amir Khan of England.

“An Olympic medal is one of the greatest accomplishments in all of sport, and I promise to do all I can to ensure that these young men and women are fully prepared to go to London to proudly represent our country,” Roach said.

He also expressed his gratitude to USA Boxing and the USOC for the opportunity to help develop the country’s future ring stars.

“This partnership is an exciting new chapter in my career and I can’t wait to get it started,” said Roach, who’ll also be working with female prospects as women’s boxing will make its debut in London.

Under the partnership agreement, the national boxers, together with their personal coaches and USA boxing’s head coach Joe Zanders will do their training sessions at Wild Card, with Roach calling the shots.