“I was able to retire from the sport with all my faculties and not let the sport retire me.”

People have said things about me, and wrote and criticized me about things in the past, but it goes in one ear and out the other.

I think my grandmother saw my potential first. When I was young, I told her, ‘I think I should get a job.’ She said, ‘No, just keep boxing.’

I’m always focused.

Everything people say I couldn’t do I’ve done.

I haven’t took no punishment. There’s nothing cool about taking punishment.

Worry about going out there and making your own legacy.

There comes a time when money doesn’t matter.

When I was about 8 or 9, I lived in New Jersey with my mother and we were seven deep in one bedroom and sometimes we didn’t have electricity.

I’m just an American dream.

In the end, you have to protect yourself at all times.

My whole outlook on life is, never judge a book by its cover.

When I step in the ring, I bring everything I have.

I know that there’s a god because I was able to survive everything that I’ve been through – all of the tough times – and I’m still at the top of my game.

You know, everybody has a slogan, and once you beat people over the head with it so much, then that’s what you’ll eventually be called once you retire from the sport or whatever.

Self-preservation is an important thing to me.

Boxing’s in my genes. I come from a fighting background. My dad and both my uncles were good boxers. I’m blessed with the art of war.

Why would I retire? Sit at home and watch TV? No thanks. I’d rather be out playing.

What’s the big deal about still working? Retirement age is sixty-five, and that’s at a normal job – and I ain’t there yet.

The idea of retiring is like killing yourself. It’s almost like Hari Kari. I intend to live to a 100 and go down in history.

I think the minute you’re full up and have had enough to eat, then that’s time to retire.

Retire? I can’t spell the word. I’d play in a wheelchair.

Great necessities call out great virtues.

Wisdom and penetration are the fruit of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure. Great necessities call out great virtues.

The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.