I'm looking forward to the fighting with no headgear - I'm jealous. I kind of want to go back to the Olympics to experience no headgear.
You always pray for a healthy child, and in this situation, Naieya was born with Spina Bifida... We had choices on the table, and choices to terminate the pregnancy. We could have went on with our lives, and that would have been it, but we decided to take on the challenge.
Every guy I touch, it's the same result. When I land, it's like seeing one of those preachers on TV. When I touch them, they fall out.
Working with one of the best strength trainers in the world, I'm getting more dangerous. I'm getting stronger and stronger.
I was raised by both parents up to 17. We had a good family. We had a middle class family, good teaching and good surroundings, raised by the church, where I went every week whether I wanted to or not.
My neighborhood was normal. I had a neighborhood where everyone knew everyone. Typical American upbringing. Sometimes we got into trouble, but everyone watched after each other, so if my parents didn't see me making trouble, another family would tell them.
I don't care what you have done before or what you are capable of: if you come up against a guy like me, you are in trouble.
When you have a fighter willing to do that, when he is seriously hurt and in pain but still fights, you've got a dangerous man on your hands.
I don't have to build up strength; I have been blessed with it. I do lift weights and train hard, but I am a very special individual - a very special man with very special talent and very special power. I can get any man - any man - out of there in a matter of seconds. That is the thing I love about myself.
I could put everything I got in the bank on my abilities and skill and will, and what I'm capable of doing in the ring.
There's no other heavyweight in the division like me, especially when it comes into the athletic department. I'm the most athletic heavyweight in the division.
There comes a time when you have to put forth the action and actually see whether you're really just talking to promote yourself, just to sell yourself, or to build your confidence or build confidence around you... or are you the real deal?
I decided to do something I've been wanting to do for a long time - go get a chef and a nutritionist - and I brought them on board.
I'm definitely an active champion. I'm looking forward to defending my belt as many times as possible.
I don't see myself being in the sport a very long period of time, so I want to fight as much as possible.
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.
I have so many things that I want to do with my life. I just don't see myself being a fighter forever. Boxing is my love and passion. It also opens up and sets up other things in my life as well.
Against Bermane Stiverne, they said he was going to be the toughest test, but I passed that with flying colours.
I'm one of the baddest, hardest-hitting heavyweights in the business. Right here from Alabama, baby.
It don't matter if I got a broke hand, got a torn muscle: I'm going to fight like heavyweight champions do.
I will be that guy to change this sport, especially in the heavyweight division. A lot of people have lost interest. I'm the right man for the job... I want to make it bigger and better than it ever have been before.
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.
When they throw punches, the breathing, the sparring. The heavy bags being hit. All of that - it was a heavenly sound to me.
This is all for Naieya (daughter), man. I will be a champion one day, I promised that to her.....And now that I have this opportunity I can't let her down.Collection: Daughter
I want to bring excitement back to the heavyweight division.Collection: Heavyweights
And I don't want to sit around. I want to fight four times a year. Whoever's ready, I'm ready.Collection: Fighting