I had to persevere because this was my life. This championship, this was the stuff I dreamt of all my life, and I wasn't gonna be denied.

I was very dedicated and serious about fighting. I'd read about all the fighters. I found out where they came from, knew about their mothers and their fathers . . . I just read all about their lives, their training.

I'm a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.

Anger is my biggest enemy in life.

I'll fight anybody my trainer puts me in with because I'm confident I can beat any fighter in the world. If anybody can see I'm almost a master at evading punches coming at me.

I didn't know how to be any other way. I felt like one of those barbarian kings just coming to conquer the Roman Empire.

I'm just a sucker even talking to you guys. I should be ready to rip your heads off your necks. But it's just not the right thing to do