LIAM SMITH

I've been wanting to spar Miguel Cotto over in L.A., and that will be priceless, going over there, getting some rounds with such a world class fighter.

I'm one win away from being a superstar.

Everyone breeds success off each other.

If Canelo comes too hard at me early, he's going to be in for a long night.

Canelo's going to have his moments. I'm not saying he's not. But I'm going to have my moments. It will come down to who can finish off their moments and finish the fight the best.

When I was 17 or 18, I realised I could do something with boxing.

Growing up with my brothers all boxing has stood me in good stead for nights like these. You should have seen some the fights we used to have in our front room.

I'm not going to say I'm not ready for a fighter like Canelo Alvarez.

Thompson is a typical American: wide feet, good jab; he'll try to have a fight.

I've seen Thompson before, as I keep my eye on everyone in the division, as I might one day fight them.

I'm expecting the best John Thompson. I'd be a fool to expect anything less.

The ones doing that, counting me out, are going to look silly.

Canelo's the big name, but I am the champion going in... I took this fight. I'm not in a situation where I have nothing to lose in this fight. I've got a title to lose.

I'm not just coming here for a payday. I'm not an old guy at the end of my career looking for a payday. I've got a title to keep.

I can be the best light-middleweight in the world.

From my point of view, I am the underdog going into this fight. I'm not saying I'm not. But I'm the underdog because I haven't fought at that level yet against anyone of Canelo's level.

Kirkland and Khan are chinny fighters. I am not like that.

I don't want to emulate anyone.

We used tea towels for gloves until we got proper ones and were always breaking our mum's ornaments. She'd come home and find us all sat in our boxer shorts, out of breath and our skin red raw. She hated it.

Once I will arrive in the ring, I'm going to make the most of this fight because this fight I will remember for the rest of my life. From my point of view, this night is going to be remembered by the British people. Not from the American people as much, but from the British fans here who will watch me beat Canelo Alvarez.

If you ask anyone who my mum's blue-eyed boy is, they will say it is me.

I need that fear factor in training; otherwise, I might get beat by someone I should never lose against, all because I couldn't get up in the morning.

People say I'm not world level, but I haven't fought at that class yet, so you can't say that until I have.

Before British title fights, I've played football on a Saturday before; it's silly as it is.

He's fighting for the world title, so we're prepared for the best John Thompson.