Quotes from Liam Smith

As soon as I get in a rhythm, I'm very hard to stop.

A lot of things come down to your roots and how you're brought up.

Everyone breeds success off each other.

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 don't want to be chasing a big, awkward southpaw around the ring. I want a fight that people will enjoy.

I'm one win away from being a superstar.

I won't watch that Amir fight from now until I fight Alvarez. I'm not a blown up 147 or a Miguel Cotto. I'm a big 154 lb., and I'm coming of age and coming to win.

When I was fighting at a weekend, I would be in when my friends were out. I never had time to go out and go off the rails.

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.

If you ask my promoters and managers, they will say I've never knocked back an opponent in my life.

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

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

If you put a camera on the wall, you would laugh at some of the fights me and my brothers had.

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.

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

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

Give me the respect I deserve.

Now Mayweather has retired, Alavrez is the biggest name in boxing, and I'm looking forward to pitting my wits against him.

Alvarez is the biggest name in boxing. I'm looking forward to pitting my wits against one of the best in the sport.

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

I've been laughing with my brothers about it. Paul and Stephen both won the British title before me, but I'm going to be the first world champion in the family.

I'm world champion, so if I'm not ready for another fighter at 154, I don't deserve to be world champion. That's the way I look at it and what I firmly believe.

I'm so proud, and it feels brilliant to be a world champion.

People said I didn't deserve to be World Champion, but I think I've proved it.