Marquez vs. Diaz II "Fight of the Year: La Revancha
MEXICO CITY – Balancing boxing with family life may prove challenging for fathers, Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan "Torito" Diaz. Marquez and Diaz are training hard for their championship rematch scheduled Saturday July 31 at Mandalay Bay, a time when most fathers are spending time with their family. Marquez who has three children ages between three and 12 years old, and Diaz, who the father of a three year old, have grown accustomed to balancing their rigorous boxing lifestyle with their family life.
"I know I will not have much time, but I must stay focused on what I do and not forget about my children.” Said Juan Manuel Marquez.
"I have to balance out family time and time spent in the gym. In my case, I spend 70 percent of my time training and 30 percent with my children. As a professional fighter I must train.”
Marquez credits his own father, who was also a boxer, in doing a great job in raising him and his siblings.
"My dad always gave me good advice that I now use on my own kids.” Said Marquez. "I come from a big family and I know what my parents had to go". He said.
As for Juan Diaz, a former triple world champion lightweight, his role as a dad is difficult because "sometimes it is difficult to balance my career and parenthood. Luckily I have my family who really support me and are helpful with everything". Said Diaz.
"The best advice is to try and spend as much time as possible with your children. Sometimes people are trapped in the completion of their own goals, and we must remember to make our children a top priority. You should never be too busy to play with their children. I try to be with my son 99 percent of the time. I like to do small things with him. For example, brushing our teeth together at night.” He said.
