I was on my face. I heard the count from one to 10. I kept telling myself that I had to get up, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t make myself move. It was the strangest feeling.

I don’t want to be remembered as a beaten champion.

Rocky is a poor Italian boy from a poor Italian family, and he appreciates the buck more than almost anybody. He’s only got two halfway decent purses so far, and it was like a tiger tasting blood.

I’d be conceited if I said I could, but I’d be lying if I said I couldn’t.

Liston is like most big bullies, if you can stay away and make him miss for a few rounds he’ll get frustrated. Once you strip away that feeling of invincibility, he can be had.

There is no doubt that man is a competitive animal and there is no place where this fact is more obvious than in the ring. There is no second place. Either you win or you lose. When they call you a champion, it’s because you don’t lose. To win takes a complete commitment of mind and body.

To win takes a complete commitment of mind and body. When you can’t make that commitment, they don’t call you a champion anymore.

What could be better than walking down any street in any city and knowing you’re the heavyweight champion of the world?

I'd be conceited if I said I could, but I'd be lying if I said I couldn't.

To win takes a complete commitment of mind and body. When you can't make that commitment, they don't call you a champion anymore.