Every day as a kid, I went to the boxing gym. I knew boxing before I knew anything else. And I was once told if you show your child how to do something and you constantly push them, then eventually they'll become masters. They'll become a master of their craft. So that's probably what happened with me and the sport of boxing.

But it's me taking a stand for something that means something. And it's for the fighters who are up and coming. It's sort of the same stance Martin Luther King and Malcolm X made, so we could have freedoms, so everybody could tell the world that we're equal. The only thing I'm saying is that we are equal. So if you're not on nothing and I'm not on nothing, then let's go take the test. That's all I'm saying.

I don't have to run from none of these fighters. If I want to keep my defense tight and break em' down I can.

There is no fighter smarter than me.

Ricky Hatton ain't nothing but a fat man. I'm going to punch him in his beer belly when I see him.

Maidana is a young, strong and tough competitor. He's a guy that I can't overlook. You can never take any fighter for granted because anything can happen.

A lot of times, in the beginning of my career, I put pressure on myself just because I wanted to perform so well. I just wanted to be perfect.