“My family and I grew up watching and admiring Oscar De La Hoya and to now be fighting under his promotional banner is a dream come true.”

There’s so many people who come to me here in L.A., promising me this and promising me that. What I’m learning is figuring out what’s real versus what’s just talk.

Canelo’s a very disciplined guy, but he’s very relaxed in the ring. He taught me that there are ways to relax so you won’t get hit with certain punches. He showed me that the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to fight your fight by staying put.

I just love challenges.

Canelo has experience and is a superstar. He’s showed me a lot as a mentor. It’s the biggest blessing that I can have.

Everything takes a vision and I have a very definitive vision of what my future will be like, in the ring and then outside of it.

I want to become a movie director and win an Academy Award. That’s what I’m trying to do.

I’m looking to expand my brand everywhere. I want to be worldwide, I want to reach the world.

My mom is the Kris Jenner of boxing.

The Velez fight wasn’t my best.

I’m learning along the way, and there’s going to be some little bumps and bruises, but as long as I keep rolling with the punches, I will keep moving up.

I know I need a work ethic to match my talent.

Whenever you get nervous about anything, start dancing. You’ll feel better.

People love positivity, and I think that’s what I show.

At the end of the day, you can have all the talent in the world. But if you don’t put in the work, nothing works. The engine doesn’t start going. It’s a car without gas.

I listen to Frank Sinatra before my fight a lot, and I also listen to Orisha music, so both of those, I need, it’s weird. It’s a weird combination.

I’m a go-getter. Everything I say I’m going to do, I don’t stop until I do it.

He paged through a book of promotional photos of himself, one of which was shot shortly after 911. It featured him holding a copy of the Bible upright in one palm while the Koran rose from the other the Twin Towers.