De La Hoya: Reunion with trainer is key

Oscar De La Hoya said Monday he is confident his reunion with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. will not only help him defeat underdog Steve Forbes on Saturday at Home Depot Center, but also will ensure a victory in his rematch with undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September.

In a live chat with Times readers on latimes.com, De La Hoya told a questioner that he “absolutely” will retain Mayweather Sr. for the anticipated showdown. Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 knockouts) won the May 2007 bout by split decision.

“Mayweather Sr. has that secret potion to dissect the Mayweather style,” De La Hoya said. “Mayweather Sr. created that style, he made it, so working with him on the Forbes fight, I already feel confident I’ll beat Mayweather Jr.”

De La Hoya (38-5, 30) said he has been training since January. Concerned about worsening a family rift between father and son, De La Hoya briefly split with Mayweather Sr. last year in favor of veteran trainer Freddie Roach.

The reunion has resurrected “a perfect relationship,” said De La Hoya. “Like a hand and glove. We’re the perfect team.”

He also said Forbes’ training in the Mayweather style made him an ideal opponent, even though the former super-featherweight world champion may lack the name recognition of several other opponents this decade.

De La Hoya added that he plans to fight twice more this year and that he will train exclusively in Big Bear for the Sept. 20 fight against Mayweather Jr. That bout, De La Hoya said, will be fought at a catch weight of 150 pounds.

Then, after being asked whether he would agree to a bout against the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito welterweight title unification winner, De La Hoya said, “The plan is to fight the best. If that’s Antonio or Miguel Cotto, then that’s who it’ll be.”

On another issue, when “Luis from Roosevelt HS” asked De La Hoya whether he has considered a run for political office, the boxer replied, “I would never count it out.”

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lance.pugmire@latimes.com