“I had to fight to put my socks on. That's why I'm a great fighter. My brothers a…” — Riddick Bowe

My toughest opponent is me. My mind has a tendency to wander during bouts. I tend to focus on things other than the bout. I have to work at staying motivated, getting my head right.

For me, hard work and determination got me in the Hall of Fame.

So many people were ready to write me off as being washed up at 20, I started to believe all that negative stuff myself.

A program like the Fresh Air Fund gives people a chance to break away for a while. I've been fortunate to be able to raise my family that way.