When I fought Holmes, I feel I was a better fighter than he was. I was just so caught up in what was written about the fight - I got caught up in that whole thing.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The fight with Holmes was a plus. I gained so much experience.
In '82, I was a little too young, I was a little inexperienced, and I was more concerned with going the distance in the fight than going out and taking Holmes out.
I don't fear Holmes, but I think he's a good fighter. He has a lot of pride. But I wouldn't be fighting him if I feared him. It's going to be a tough fight. People say with all the hoopla out there, I won't be able to handle it. I believe the pressure's on him. I'm just going to do my thing.
I feel like a pro now. Before I fought Holmes, I felt like a rookie.
I lost three times in my career. Losing to Holmes I could deal with, because I lost to a true champion.
My career got sidetracked after fighting Holmes.
The provocation with Holmes is the fact that he's described by Doyle as a man without a heart - all brain... and that's very difficult to play, or even indicate.
I was a pretty good fighter. But it was the writers who made me great.
I think one or two of the later Holmes stories are among the best.
I fought a boxer who everybody said I couldn't beat - Sugar Ray Leonard. They said he was faster than me. That he was the best of the best. And I beat him.
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