I'd be conceited if I said I could, but I'd be lying if I said I couldn't.

To win takes a complete commitment of mind and body. When you can't make that commitment, they don't call you a champion anymore.

Why waltz with a guy for 10 rounds if you can knock him out in one?

I was on my face. I heard the count from one to 10. I kept telling myself that I had to get up, but I couldn't move. I couldn't make myself move. It was the strangest feeling.

What could be better than walking down any street in any city and knowing you're the heavyweight champion of the world?

In the ring, I never really knew fear.

There is no doubt that man is a competitive animal and there is no place where this fact is more obvious than in the ring. There is no second place. Either you win or you lose. When they call you a champion, it's because you don't lose. To win takes a complete commitment of mind and body.