Being in the ring became my reality, and, in my reality, I'd think I was someone special.

Real freedom is having nothing. I was freer when I didn't have a cent.

I'm just trying to change my life because I'm not above killing any drug dealer for money.

In order to be a friend to anybody, you have to be a friend to yourself. If you're not a friend to yourself, there's no way you're gonna have any friends.

There are nine million people who see me in the ring and hate my guts. Most of them are white. That's okay. Just spell my name right.

If he's not dead, it doesn't count.

I just did what I did in my era, basically because of my admiration for the guys who came before me. That's how I've always looked at it. I never thought of boxing like, I'm going to be the greatest fighter ever and make a lot of money. Instead, I thought I was going to win because I learned from the best. I carefully studied the videotapes of all the fighters from the past, dissected their styles, and entered the ring with their spirit.