If I hadn't had the talent, the networks wouldn't have televised my fights. No one has made me; I made myself. I paid my dues
I want my fights to be seen as plays that have a beginning, a middle and an end
Before I fight, I always pray that no one gets hurt.
I'm a free agent. I haven't allowed any promoters to have exclusive options on my fight. I don't need a promoter.
Before the start of the '76 Olympics, I'd had 160 amateur fights. I won 155 and lost five
I remember all the important fights. Vividly. In detail.
Duran always disturbs me. The guy is just weird. Before our first fight, both Duran and his wife gave my wife the finger.
My toughest fight was myself. For me to disclose and let things out was not easy because we don't want to seem weak or like we are different, but I learned that it's okay.
I retired and came back in '97. Woo! I mean, come on! I don't know, man. A six-year layoff? That was crazy! My career was relatively short, whether you look at either its length in years or the number of fights I had. But it was brutal.
My intention was to fight Durán ASAP because I knew Durán's habits. I knew he would indulge himself, he'd gain 40–50 lbs and then sweat it off to make 147.
The only way for a fighter to get back in shape is to fight his way back.
I wouldnt change anything because the mistakes and the hurt are as important as all the great fights. They made me who I am today.