You have to really think about what kind of guy the character is and decide on a style that works, that complements my physicality and that's going to be believable, but also be compelling for the audience and for the camera.

I had always wanted to play a boxer, all of my life. I grew up watching great boxing films.

Boxing is a place where, if you haven't done the training, that's going to be exposed very quickly.

The greatest gift that an actor can have is good scripts because then you're relieved of the responsibility of trying to elevate the material.

I take my hat off to my friend, Mark Wahlberg, because I know that it took him a long time to make 'The Fighter,' and he overcame a lot of obstacles to do it, and now the film is an unqualified success.

I would say that one of the really special gifts about playing an athlete is that it's the best motivation you'll ever have to get in top shape and stay in top shape because you know that you're going to be expected to deliver.

If you're going to play a champion athlete, people expect you to look a certain way, and you also have to have the stamina to be able to continue to perform.