I don't call myself a political figure but I'm taken to be.

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.

I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'

I said, 'Oh, I know. If the white folks is in Heaven too, then the black angels were in the kitchen, preparing the milk and honey.'

The outgoing and spontaneous person that the world knew while I was boxing was a persona that I created to sell tickets and promote my career. In my private life, I am quiet and reflective by nature.

I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.

We're not trying to take power away or rule anybody - we're just trying to get up from under the rulers.