I got knocked down. Anybody could be knocked down, anybody can be knocked out, but it's not what happened, but what happens next.

You think it's hard for me when I go in the ring and fight? That's the least of my problems. I think about the five years that I did in prison. I think about the nine years on parole. Nothing - nothing! - can compare to that struggle. I'm telling you, from being an ex-convict with 30 convictions, a degree nowhere to be found and black? I'm done.

I didn't need to take any fight for the last 10 years. But I've always fought the best and I've always wanted to prove myself to the best.

Understand that I'm at my best when it comes to proving a point, not only to show that I'm a better fighter and a better athlete at 40½ years old, but I'm at my best when I know I've got to beat the system again.

I was told I would be back in 90 days. If I listened to people, I would be back where I came from - the penitentiary.

The NBA has a voice that's why they have a lockout. The NFL has a voice that's why they had a lockout. Boxing is the only sport that's individually represented the individual people - Managers, Promoters and Boxers.

There's always a chance you will see something new in a fight. Especially in boxing.