No one but myself thought I could beat guys like Tommy Hearns or Roberto Duran.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns were true champions. There were some incredible fights between us, and I was happy to give them all an opportunity to fight me.
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.
Mike Matheny, Fernando Vina, Edgar Renteria, Mark McGwire and Darryl Kile... before he died. Those guys took me under their wing and taught me the way to play the game the right way.
One of my major competitors was Harold Smith. Smith beat me in 1977. I was loafing during that competition.
The guys that I beat in the 'Super Six,' every one of those fights was tough, even if I did dominate some.
Roberto Duran was the kind of guy who was a true fighter and you hardly see guys like that anymore.
The biggest rival I had in my career was me. I couldn't control Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson or Lee Trevino. The only person I could control was me.
I beat Larry Holmes and George Foreman. I whupped Mike Tyson twice. I had my ear chewed off and spat on the ground in front of me. I've seen everything it is possible to see in boxing. I know this business better than anyone. So I live and die by my own decisions.
The only one who can beat me is me.
I'm not in this sport to say a guy can beat me.
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