An Open Letter From Rocky Marciano

"There is no doubt that man is a competitive animal. There is no second place. Either you win or you lose. When they call you champ it is because you don't lose. A professional fight last 45 minutes. You have to be physically prepared. You have to be mentally prepared. That means you understand pain. There is pain in training, in running that extra mile when your legs feel like logs in the dull, monotonous grind. But there is a reason for it. The moment you step into the ring you know it was all worth it. If you push your body into its best shape there is one less thing to think about. Maybe it will give you a minute more stamina. That minute can win you the fight. To win takes a complete commitment of mind and body. When you can't make that commitment they don't call you champ anymore." Rocky Marciano (1956)