Drug cartel violence, hunger defined Segura's childhood in Mexico

Giovani Segura is known for his aggressive, warrior-like mindset when he's in the ring. Perhaps that is why his emotional display during Wednesday afternoon's press conference for his 12-round bout against Brian Viloria was so striking. The 29-year-old Segura will challenge Viloria's (29-3, 16 knockouts) World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight title on Sunday morning at the Yñares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Philippines. Segura, 29, described the scenes of poverty that he encounters during his morning runs near the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. He recounted tales of seeing street children without clothes or shoes. He expressed his admiration for pound for pound champ Manny Pacquiao and his selfless charity, which Segura says has inspired him to help the poor people of his community as well. "I have two kids, and those things break my heart," said Segura, Ring Magazine's light flyweight champion and the ninth-rated pound-for-pound fighter. Then he broke down in tears, burying his face in his palms. "That reminds me of myself and it makes me understand Pacquiao's heart and why God gives him what he has," said a sobbing Segura. Segura's comfortable lifestyle in Southern California belies his underprivileged upbringing in Altamirano, Guerrero, Mexico. The state of Guerrero has been in the news in recent years for all of the wrong reasons, having become among the most volatile in Mexico's ongoing war against drugs. A story on the Mexican news website Proceso.com.mx reported in July that 953 people in Guerrero had died in the first seven months on this year due to gang and drug-related violence. While Mexico's drug violence is difficult to understand for many foreigners, it is a way of life for the locals. "There's the good side and the bad side of Mexico," said Segura, 28-1-1 (24 KOs). "People just don't go out after 8 p.m. because they're afraid they might be caught in gunfire.” "If you make money in drugs they see it as something good, with honor. You get respect for that. There are no rules over there. There's a lot of groups trying to take all over the place of Guerrero. That's one of the roads where the drugs go through to the US. Lots of bad people there." Segura has lost family members and friends to the violence, including last year, when one of his best friends whom he had grown up playing football (soccer) with was found executed, his hands bound with signs of torture apparent. Many of his childhood friends have become involved in the drug trade as well. "I used to tell them to stop doing that and they'd say, 'I have no choice. If I try to get out they will kill me or my wife and kids." Trouble didn't only come from the outside world, but often from within the home. Segura and his five siblings (three boys and two girls) often went days without eating. Segura said that his father, who was saddled by drug and alcohol issues, was the role model of who he never wanted to become like. "I grew up hating him," said Segura, who says his relationship with his father has healed over time. Segura and his siblings all were accustomed to working from a young age, with Giovani starting at just 11 years old. They washed cars when there was work, and went without food when there was none. "As long as you have enough power to lift the tools or be able to help, you're already able to work," said Segura. "When you have a big family and there's no work, no income in the family, it's hard," said Luis Segura, Giovani's younger brother who is also a 1-0 welterweight prospect. "Not because we didn't work, we all put in work, we all had to wash cars. I was like six years old and I was already working. We literally suffered days of hunger. We know how it is not to eat, and it's hard." The Seguras left Mexico for Los Angeles in 2000, when Giovani was 18, just as violence with the drug cartels started to rage out of control. The tall buildings, large highways and relative economic prosperity were a lot to absorb. It was in America, at the Azteca Boxing Club in Bell California, where Segura first discovered boxing. And even amidst the ever-present dangers of the boxing ring, his life is more secure than ever. "In my heart I thank God for where I am, I want to help all of the people in my place. I think that's why I'm here," Segura said. The Viloria-Segura fight will be aired by GMA Channel 7 at 9 a.m. in the Philippines and on pay-per-view throughout the United States. — JVP, GMA News Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributes to GMA News and the Filipino Reporter newspaper in New York City. He is also a member of The Ring ratings panel. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.