I consider myself blessed. I consider you blessed. We've all been blessed with God-given talents. Mine just happens to be beating people up.

My ambition is not to be just a good fighter. I want to be great, something special.

A fighter never knows when it's the last bell. He doesn't want to face that.

When I was 15 or 16 and I started climbing up the ladder of success in amateur boxing, a reporter asked me, "What do you want to be?" I think he was expecting me to say, "A champion." I said, "I want to be special." I don't know why I said that, but I didn't just want to be a fighter. I wanted to have an impact with people, particularly kids.

Holyfield is nothing but class, and I think he's a breath of fresh air for the sport.

No one but myself thought I could beat guys like Tommy Hearns or Roberto Duran

People can do more than they ever believe they can do. Physically, mentally, academically. You have to be pushed. It hurts. But it's worth it, and it's a great thing.