The first day of training in Big Bear, it felt like somebody put a plastic bag over my head. After eight weeks up there, I feel very strong.

In this fight I want to show people who are in poverty, downtrodden or denied that you can succeed. I want my performance to be an inspiration to people. You have to stay in the moment and keep moving ahead. I just want to show everyone that you can find answers to your problems and afflictions with hard work and perseverance.

I'm ready. I feel like I can't be beat. You have to feel like that being a fighter. I just feel like this is a bigger type of energy. I feel like I've beaten so many odds. I feel kind of invincible. It's going to be a good fight.

The word 'snooze fest' comes to mind when talking about Hopkins' fighting style, that's what a lot of people say. He's a boring fighter.

I want to thank my amateur trainer. We started at the bottom together. Just because you were born at the bottom doesn't mean you have to stay at the bottom. After Saturday night, we're going to put that bologna away and go get a steak.

I switched to my new trainer Abel Sanchez to add versatility to my game. I'm coming to fight a serious fight. If I knock him out, it will just put another feather in my cap. I'm predicting a win, but I never look for the knockout because that's not my game plan. If my punches result in a knockout, so be it.

I don't predict knockouts. The outcome and the performance I am looking for is a victory, nothing less than a victory.