I treat myself more as an athlete instead of as a fighter. As a fighter, you're going out there as a street thug, relying on your hands, trying to knock someone out, being overly aggressive.
People always say, 'I want to be the best fighter in the world.' That's why I respect Conor. He said he wants to be the best fighter in the world, and he's trying to prove it.
He's an old good fighter, he's an intelligent fighter but I wouldn't say he's the best I've ever fought.
Anyone who is friends with a fighter or lives with a fighter, you know that a fighter cutting weight is on edge.
What's the point being the best fighter on the planet if no likes you?
I've got my dreams. I want to be the best fighter on the planet.
I never had a rivalry with Madonna. You don't knock another sister, ever. There's room for everybody on this planet; you don't have to be like anyone else.
I don't believe you've seen the best of The Hayemaker yet. I want to leave on the top of the game. Recognised as the best heavyweight fighter on the planet, then I can hang the gloves back up in peace.
I will always have that, 'I want to be the best fighter on the planet' thing in me.
I know I'm a good fighter, probably a great fighter. I've fought the best in the world since I was a kid, and I've been fortunate to come out on top.
One thing I see in a lot of coaches is they try to live through the fighter. You can't live through the fighter. You gotta allow the fighter to be the fighter, and do what he do, and you just try to guide him. Why should I have to live through a fighter, when I went from eating out of a trashcan to being eight-time world champion? I stood in the limelight and did what I had to do as a fighter. I've been where that fighter is trying to go.
The best way to take a punch is to look at it. Honestly. Someone could hit you with the hardest punch that they have, but as long as you see it, it's not going to knock you out. It's the punches that you don't see that knock you out. So you could get tapped with a small punch, but if you don't see it, you're out.
There are rules that say 'If a fighter gets old, when a fighter slows down, when a fighter stops looking the same, then he can never come back.' I don't like that.
I'm a very respectful fighter, I don't get out of character and start talking crazy, but if you don't want to fight a fighter, or you don't think it's a good style, or it's just not time, then say that.
Mark my words, Michael Van Gerwen will knock Phil Taylor off his perch one day and be the best darts player on the planet.
Canelo Alvarez is a very good fighter. I believe he's the best 160 fighter in the world. I don't think there's a fighter at 160 who can beat him.