I still don't think the world has seen the best Andre Ward. Initially, I just wanted to get in there and win.
I'm not going to throw chairs; I'm not going to cuss. I'm not going to do that kind of stuff, because you don't have to do that. You don't have to act like that, and you don't have to live like that in order to be successful.
Once a fighter becomes enamoured with another, to the point where they can't perform and compete, you have got problems.
The British fans, they are very festive; they support their people.
It's not just fleet of foot or speed. It's about who gets caught and gets knocked out.
I didn't need to get knocked down to know the fortitude that I have in me.
The game plan might be different based on the opponent, but the approach is the same.
At the end of the day, the great ones - well, they rise, and that's what I want to do.
You have to be able to adjust on the fly, and that is what the great ones do.
Dad couldn't train me. He was too high-strung, like, 'Throw your jab!' and I'd start crying.
I'm just trying to get those marquee victories and continue to get those accomplishments so when the time comes and the vote is cast, hopefully my spot is secured in the Boxing Hall of Fame.
My mind-set is my major attribute.
I do feel at times like I'm always proving myself. But I also feel that I'm proven. I've proven I can get to the mountaintop.
I went to a nutritionist; my diet is pretty clean, but I wanted to get some more knowledge and understanding in some areas. My two favorite things, Clif Bars and lattes, she just destroyed in our first meeting. Coffee is fine, but soy is the most genetically modified food that we eat.
Boxing is not that complicated. If two guys want to fight, it's not hard to make a fight. If the fight's not made, it's because one party doesn't want that fight, or maybe both parties don't want it.
My personal goals are to fight and beat the best opponent possible.
I don't have one polarizing message. It is just about being consistent over the years.
I don't come from a position that I am better than everybody; I come from a position that I had a tough upbringing. And I don't always highlight it, because I just never wanted to be that person with another rags to riches story.
My mom had struggles. My dad had struggles. He raised me as a single parent. I rebelled and almost quit amateur boxing, but my faith in God had a lot to do with me slowly getting my life together.
There's always great things that champions do. It can be inside fighting, this person uses his range well, this person has a great right hand - anytime you fight a champion, there's multiple things that they do well, and you have to try to take those strengths away.
