If you ask my promoters and managers, they will say I've never knocked back an opponent in my life.
— Liam Smith
Without being disrespectful to Jimmy Kelly, I'd rather fight Shane Mosley than Jimmy Kelly.
He's fighting for the world title, so we're prepared for the best John Thompson.
I don't want to emulate anyone.
The ones doing that, counting me out, are going to look silly.
I'm so proud, and it feels brilliant to be a world champion.
I'm one win away from being a superstar.
I don't need any more motivation. I'm fighting Canelo Alvarez. If that can't get me motivated, then I'm in the wrong sport.
If you ask anyone who my mum's blue-eyed boy is, they will say it is me.
When I was 17 or 18, I realised I could do something with boxing.
I remember when Joe Calzaghe fought Jeff Lacy, and there was all this hype about Lacy being some sort of unbeatable force, and Joe absolutely hammered him.
Kirkland and Khan are chinny fighters. I am not like that.
I'm still a mummy's boy!
Everyone breeds success off each other.
I don't want to be chasing a big, awkward southpaw around the ring. I want a fight that people will enjoy.
I'll go for the knockout, and if we have to go 12 rounds, then I'll trust the judges to do their best work, and I will get the victory if I deserve it.
It's always Canelo, and it's Mexican Independence Day, so I know that. But I am the champion, and just looking back on that, that is one reason why I hope they'll respect that I'm champion and be fair.
I'm getting criticism on social media, saying, 'Ah, you ducked Shane Mosley.' I've never ducked anyone in my life. They need to look into it a bit more.
People said I didn't deserve to be World Champion, but I think I've proved it.
I'm expecting the best John Thompson. I'd be a fool to expect anything less.
I can be the best light-middleweight in the world.
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 will look for the knockout because that's the way I fight.
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.
My mum says part of the reason we moved house, it was a rough area at the time, was down to that - they wanted to help me.
Before British title fights, I've played football on a Saturday before; it's silly as it is.
I'm confident a good Liam Smith beats a good John Thompson.
My mum will never let me be anything but grounded.
If Canelo comes too hard at me early, he's going to be in for a long night.
Thompson is a typical American: wide feet, good jab; he'll try to have a fight.
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.
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 stupid. I know on paper I'm the B-side of this fight. Canelo's the big name.
I didn't become world champion to fight Jimmy Kelly.
I'm a humble guy, I'm pretty down to earth.
I've been in the States and fought before. When I'm in that changing room, I'll feel as if I've been in that situation before. Obviously I'm going to have to deal on the biggest stage, and it's the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, but it doesn't faze me.
If you put a camera on the wall, you would laugh at some of the fights me and my brothers had.
Alvarez is the biggest name in boxing. I'm looking forward to pitting my wits against one of the best in the sport.
I wanted to fight guys like Shane Moseley, Miguel Cotto, and Alvarez.
I don't want to say 'grateful.' I don't want to sound like I'm just coming for the opportunity and to say I boxed in front of this many people at AT&T Stadium. I'm coming there to win and bring the title back home.
Now Mayweather has retired, Alavrez is the biggest name in boxing, and I'm looking forward to pitting my wits against him.
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 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.
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.
A lot of things come down to your roots and how you're brought up.
As soon as I get in a rhythm, I'm very hard to stop.
I made my debut on October 10, 2008, so it'll be seven years to the day that I could become world champion. That's a massive night to be crowned.
Canelo isn't a full light-middleweight like I am, and that's to my advantage.
Give me the respect I deserve.
