Even when people didn't think I was the real champion, I got called out anyway. So now when you get a good win the first person people think of is me. I guess they thought it would be easy, but nothing comes easy.

It's amazing to be a Puerto Rican fighter, we have a great history of fighters. I say this all the time, 'I'm Puerto Rican, raised in Philadelphia so I got the best of both worlds. I got the Puerto Rican power and the Philly toughness. It comes a long way.

The last couple of years have been a good learning experience for me and a good journey. My first world title fight I fought Erik Morales and how much experience do you think you can get from that? A lot of people thought he would beat me because of experience. I've faced a lot of experienced fighters.

Even when people didn't think I was the real champion, I got called out anyway. So now when you get a good win the first person people think of is me. I guess they thought it would be easy, but nothing comes easy.

My Spanish is coming along, I understand everything. I've been working on becoming more confident when speaking.

I'm a self motivated person, that's what got me to the point I'm at today. I don't take anybody lightly because this is what I do, this is my job. The day that I stop taking it seriously is the day I have to stop boxing. I would never put myself into a position where I go into the ring not prepared.

I said I deserved a home fight, either Philly or Puerto Rico, since I'm always going to someone else's place to fight. Everyone thought it was a great idea to go back to Puerto Rico.