I still feel that I am in my prime right now but I think my best fights were in my thirties.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
It took me to be 33 to start to know how to fight.
I feel lucky to be getting older. The fact that I made it to 30 and then 40 was big enough. So I can't get too down on getting older; otherwise, it kind of undoes everything I've fought for.
I hope to have one more boxing match at the age of 55. Given that demographic at the age of 55 to 65, you've got to make a statement with your life. Otherwise, you are just existing.
If you look at my career, towards the end you will see I was fighting like once a year. I was not part of the Don King top heavyweights, so I was kind of kept out. His guys were getting three to four fights a year and I could only get one.
There is no need to feel defeated at 40, 50 or 60. I'm having the greatest time in the second half of my life.
In 1973 I became heavyweight champion of the world with 38 victories, no defeats as a professional. You get to a point where you think you cannot lose. I felt like I had the greatest power with my fists, I was the strongest man in the world.
If you can believe this, I didn't fight for my first world title fight till I had 58 fights, so I really appreciated what I was fighting for and for whom as well.
I always ask myself why old heavyweights come back, but I plan to stay out of the ring.
I could have 10 kids or be boxing until I'm 40.
I have been fighting the best. I am just 26 and have fought in the biggest arenas.