In the school of boxing that I come from, that's frowned upon, giving up free shots, cos we know what those kinda shots do to a man's career, regardless of whether it shows up now, or shows up when you least need it. It takes a toll.

I don't abuse my body, I've been off 10 months, I still train and I'm always thinking about boxing, so I felt like I would be fine and I just wanted to challenge myself against another top caliber fighter.

You're only as good as your last fight. It's just the way things are. It's the way that the sport is built.

This fight should be dubbed, 'No Excuses.' If Carl Froch beats me, there won't be any excuses. I beat Carl Froch, there shouldn't be any excuses. No judges, no referees, no nothing. May the best man win.

The way my father raised me, we don't pat ourselves on the back. We don't call ourselves great, we let other people do that.

What you gotta understand is, in this conversation and in our fight, you're not in control.

I think he takes a good shot, I take a good shot too, but taking too many shots is not good for any fighter. And it's not really a reputation you want.