FORMER IBO welterweight undefeated champion Chris "The Heat" van Heerden has joined the accomplished Hollywood stable of veteran trainer Freddie Roach, who also guides Manny Pacquiao.

From January until recently, South African Van Heerden worked with trainer Manuel Robles at the Rock Gym in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson.

Speaking yesterday from California, where he has lived since last year, Van Heerden said: "I am now officially being trained by the man himself. I've made it from a small town in Meyerton and now training with the best boxers in the world.

"I'm excited. I believe Freddie will bring out the best in me. He said I'm a special fighter and I can make it in the game."

Roach is a 54-year-old former professional boxer of Irish and French Canadian descent.

He is one of the best-known trainers in the world, having been voted trainer of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and last year.

Roach, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame, also trains five-time and four-division World champion Miguel Cotto and former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez.

Pacquiao is an eight-division world champion.

Van Heerden's move to the Roach stable came as no surprise because the hard-working boxer was Cotto's chief sparring partner when he was preparing for his fight against WBC middleweight champion Sergio Gabriel Martinez, a fight which Cotto won by a stoppage in the 10th round in New York on June 7.

Van Heerden has already fought twice in the US, beating Cosme Rivera by a stoppage in four rounds and outpointing Ray Narh over 10.

The South African was scheduled to fight Cecil Macalla on July 25 but the injury to his ankle forced him out of that bout. It is unclear when Van Heerden could be back in action but word is it could be in September.

Van Heerden, who boasts wins against credible foes, who include 2006 Commonwealth gold medallist Bongani "Cyclone" Mwelase and Briton Matthew Hatton, has 21 wins and 11 KOs, against one loss and a draw.