Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday and began training with new trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym.  Hopkins is already entrenched in a vigorous regimen in preparation for his summer blockbuster fight against Winky Wright in “Coming to Fight,” on July 21st at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
 
“I’m thrilled to be training with Freddie Roach in Los Angeles,” said Hopkins. “It’s a complete change of scenery for me and the new surroundings are a great motivation at this stage of my career.”  
 
Hopkins is training in Los Angeles for the first time in his long and illustrious career.  Previous sites and regular favorites for the veteran pugilist have included Miami, Philadelphia, Big Bear and most recently New Orleans.  A major influence in his decision to train in the City of Angels was the addition of Roach to his team, who owns the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.  
 
Hopkins continued, “Freddie’s a great trainer and it was great how it all worked out after my trainer Nazim Richardson had a stroke (but will be in my corner fight night) and the circumstances that dictated I make the adjustment.  Freddie is such a valuable asset to any fighter’s corner and he hit it off with the rest of my team immediately.”  
 
Roach, who recently trained Hopkins’ Golden Boy Promotions partner Oscar De La Hoya, was eager to join forces with Hopkins for the Wright fight.  “I’m thrilled to work with an accomplished champion like Bernard,” said Roach.  “He’s probably the most committed fighter I know when it comes to training and work ethic.  It’s actually a dream role for any trainer to have the opportunity to work with Bernard and prepare him for the fight against Winky on July 21st.  Bernard came to camp in great shape, and come July 21st, Bernard will be ‘Coming to Fight’.”
 
            Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” is for Hopkins’ Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight belt and will take place Saturday, July 21st at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Coming to Fight” is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Winky Promotions, and sponsored by Southwest Airlines, Tecate Beer and Rockstar Energy Drink.  HBO Pay-Per-View will televise the fight live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT.