I've achieved 'the American dream.' I feel it's my duty to help others achieve their vision, too - especially the youth.

Since I was a boy of five or six, I had it in my mind I would be a world boxing champion.

If I lose, I'll walk away and never feel bad because I did all I could. There was nothing more to do.

I got a burlap sack, put a brick in the middle, and filled it with rags, corncobs, some Spanish moss, and sand. I hung that sack off the branch of an oak tree. I'd wrap my hands with a necktie of my daddy's and punch at it. My mom gave me an hour a day. My brothers and sisters said, "Nah." I said, "You'll see."

I don't want nothing comin' at me that I can't stop.

Work is the only meanin' I've ever known. Like the man in the song says, I just gotta keep on keepin' on.

Boxing is the only sport you can get your brain shook, your money took and your name in the undertaker book.