You have to learn the opponent psychologically inside out and mental strength is one of the important makers. You're either gonna break it or make it.

I don't like to get hit, who likes it? I probably wouldn't do this sport if I was getting hit that much.

I learned in my Ph.D. the discipline I needed to be successful. Most boxers are not that disciplined. They have talent, but the self-organization - the ability to schedule yourself and your priorities - is lacking. My studies were about the control of training on both the psychological and the physical side.

My goal is not getting hit and to knock the other guy out. Some people might complain because they want to see boxers beat up on each other, but you cannot last long in professional boxing if you take a lot of punches.

The challenge for me is his size because, for the first time in my career, I'll be meeting an opponent who is taller than me and has a longer reach.

I think that there's only one nationality and one language in the sport, and you call it performance.

I train six days a week for four to five hours a day. I like to keep the same schedule when I'm in camp for every fight.