By Miguel Rivera, notifight.com
Former four division champion Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40KOs), 39, grew up in a very poor neighborhood of Mexico City. There was a lot of crime in the area and there were always opportunities to take part in those type of activities. Marquez stayed away from the gangs, the crime, the alcohol and the drugs.
Marquez credits his mental strength as a young man as one of the major factors in the grooming of his succesful career. The Mexican warrrior achieved his crowning jewel on December 8th in Las Vegas, when he knocked out Manny Pacquiao in the sixth round of their fourth battle.
"I had a lot of vices all around me, but I refused to indulge in them. I went in my own direction because I knew where I had to get to. And today, just like yesterday, in this profession - there are ways to deviate from your path and go astray. But I've never strayed before, so why do it now," Marquez said.
"This victory over Pacquiao was for everyone who believed in me, who knew that I would get to this point. I've never wasted my time with foolishness or trivialities. I always worked hard."
