I've worked hard and accomplished what I've accomplished in the heavyweight scene.

Boxing and chess are similar. It’s about the choice of means. Sometimes I need a pawn, a bishop or a knight to defeat my opponent. It’s about finding the best way. A good boxer has to be variable. He doesn’t just need to know how to punch. He must also know how to protect himself, how to defend, how to avoid the opponent’s punches. Only a complete fighter can become champion.

Boxing involves the possibility of defeat, I accepted that very early on. After all, there are only two men and one of them wins.

I always ask myself why old heavyweights come back, but I plan to stay out of the ring.

When I was fighting Tyrell Biggs, Tyson was telling me at ringside to hit him to the ribs. We always had a mutual respect for each other since we sparred those early times. We got that over with.

If the media didn't know I played chess, there'd be no angle on me at all.

Every era that comes along has a superstar that emerges. Once we are out of the game, there will be a superstar who will emerge that everyone will notice.