Robert Easter Jr. is a tough fighter who I have to take very seriously and I do, and that's why we did a nine-week training camp and got the great sparring, got the right training, the right diet, everything.Collection: Easter
If I want to pad the record, just fight pretenders, get a quick paycheck and keep moving on and racking up wins, that's not something I want to be known for.Collection: Moving
You work hard. You have a dream. You don't give up.
I think I showed I'm resilient, I'm strong, I can go the distance against a bigger man and still box effectively.
It would be a great thing for my legacy to get in the ring with an all-time great.
I've always said I have very good timing. It is underestimated when you are outside the ring but once you get inside the ring with me, I'm a step ahead.
My dad had his dream of being a champion boxing trainer. He accomplished that.
I'm about big challenges, big obstacles, and just to show everybody that I'm the best.
No other fighter's doing what I'm doing, no other fighter is daring to do what I'm doing.
I make the fight look easy and people haven't seen the best.
I've been on cruise control with my opponents, even though I fought some very good champions, undefeated champions.
I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do against him and I think that was the difference. I was able to control the fight.
As a champion, you always want challenges.
I'll take any lightweight.
I'm available to fight anybody.
To cement your name, you've got to go after the biggest fights.
I made it a goal of mine to fight the biggest challenges, so that people can appreciate who I am as a fighter.
I feel that's what a real champion needs to be doing, dare to take on the best fights possible.
My performances are getting people's attention, that's what I'm looking for.
I want to get bigger and better fights, where people can recognize me as one of the better fighters in the world.
I don't feel the need to do anything other than what I've been doing, beating my opponents, getting some knockouts, keeping the fans coming. I don't need to do anything other than that.
I'm small for 140.
I'm definitely interested in facing Linares.
I traditionally like to be patient, calm and look for openings - try to box for a few rounds until I figure out what the best thing in the ring will be for me.
I don't have a number set that I'm chasing, but I do believe I'll be a champion at 140, and again at 147.
I'm here to let everyone know I'm taking bigger fights and I'm not afraid on taking the bigger challenges.
I'm not afraid to step up and take challenges.
I'm here to take control of my career and take it to where I believe it should be.
I know that at the end of my career I'll get the credit I deserve.
It's not OK for somebody to push a fighter into a corner and strong-arm him to accept whatever the promoter wants.
You should not be taking advantage of anybody.
As the fighter, you're the one getting in the ring, you're the one risking injuries, you're the one risking your life - not only on the day of the fight, but in training camp. You're getting punched, you're training, you're sparring. You have to make sure that it's worth the risk - the compensation, the terms, the fights that you want.
It's your career. Why should you let someone else be in control of what you do? You're the one taking all the risk. The promoter is not the one getting in the ring, the manager is not the one getting in the ring, the trainer doesn't even get in the ring.
Boxing is for the poor man. A lot of people don't know what's going on, but I've been able to see it first-hand, and if I can speak out on the behalf of fighters going through problems, I will, because... it's important to create awareness. Everyone should speak up. Because if people are aware, maybe there can be change.
I've been able to not only be a fighter, but a thinking fighter, where I can use my insight into the business and politics of the sport to make my decisions.
Pay-per-view is bit of a gamble.
I know people say I could be the next big pay-per-view star. They say that about a lot of fighters. To reach that, it takes a lot. Not just fighting skills, but marketing, good promotion.
Why take the pay-per-view gamble? I don't need to do that.
You've got to keep your eye on the prize, always want more and never settle for what you have.
I've had a stellar career.
I'm never out of shape, never out to hurt my body by drinking or partying.
If I want to accomplish what I want, I have to take care of my body.
I feel I have the power and the skillset to compete in any division up to welterweight.
The one time I get butterflies at my fights is during the ring walk, and to get to do that with my home crowd is special, emotional.
I think a fight with Errol Spence is easier to make than Lomachenko because of promotional reasons.
I want to fight the top champions, I want to fight for titles.
Errol Spence is a fighter. He wants to hurt you.
I think I carry the power well at lightweight.
I really believe in myself. That's why I keep challenging myself.
I want to make sure I give the fans my best while I'm in my prime.