When I was a young fellow I was knocked down plenty. I wanted to stay down, but I couldn't. I had to collect the two dollars for winning or go hungry. I had to get up. I was one of those hungry fighters. You could have hit me on the chin with a sledgehammer for five dollars. When you haven't eaten for two days you'll understand.

A champion is someone who gets up when he can't.

You know what a champion is? A champion is someone who's ready when the gong rings - not just before, not just after - but when it rings.

The best defense is a good offense.

By forgetting the past and by throwing myself into other interests, I forget to worry.

Don't worry honey, I'm too mean to die.

All the time he's boxing, he's thinking. All the time he was thinking, I was hitting him.