Athlete

I don't know how a man can live with himself to get to the top knowing he didn't do it the right way.

All my prayers go out to Tyson Fury. I know it's difficult to be in his situation.

Some guys like to fight on even playing grounds, and some guys like to cheat.

To make it in boxing, you must captivate the fans in America, too.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama - I love you.

I like to have fun in the ring, but I knock them out.

This is no game. You get up in there, and you take some punches. You risk your life, and then let me see you talk then. That's why I don't respect people who criticize fighters.

I was born a leader, never a follower. I never felt peer pressure. If the group goes left, I go right.

I didn't even know about amateur boxing, period.

When they throw punches, the breathing, the sparring. The heavy bags being hit. All of that - it was a heavenly sound to me.

Anybody who knows me knows that I don't just love this sport, I am in love with it. I am really in love with this sport. I am obsessed with boxing. I eat, breathe and sleep it. You know, I do it all; this is my life. This is not a hobby for me. This is a lifestyle for me, and I address it accordingly. I take it very, very seriously.

Street fight, you just ground and pound 'em. Boxing is totally different.

The craziest thing about it, I used to hate fighting, but you had to show how tough you was; you had to show you wasn't no punk.

The British scene in boxing, not just the heavyweight division, is popping.

I'm one of the baddest, hardest-hitting heavyweights in the business. Right here from Alabama, baby.

It's contagious to do great. But once that one bad apple falls, everybody else will fall, and that's how it is.

I want to defend and put my title on the line as much as possible. If the top in the division are ready to try to come and take my belt - and the key word is 'try' - I'm ready to give them that opportunity.

It's a great feeling to be the WBC champ of the world, but there's more to gain from this.

We know Fury likes to entertain and promote.

I still think about the first time I met Lennox Lewis, and he took the time out to talk to me, and he showed me different techniques. I'll never forget. Lennox was one of those guys that set the standard. He's a hard act to follow. But I love a challenge.