My own ambition in the ring had always been skillful boxing, speed and defense - on the order of Mike Gibbons.

There is nothing so skillful in its own defense as imperious pride.

I've always had to create my own markets and I've always been at a juncture in my career.

As a West Side kid fooling around with boxing gloves, I had been, for some reason of temperament, more interested in dodging a blow than in striking one.

I've become a captive of my own ambitions.

The way to know about championship quality is to learn from champions, and that I did; studying them with professional purpose during my time in the ring and from habitual interest afterward.