When and why you started boxing:

I always wanted to box growing up but was reluctant to let [American] football or baseball go. I finally decided to start boxing at 19.

Favourite all-time fighter:

Mike Tyson was must-see TV. He saved boxing in that era.

Best fight you’ve seen:

Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez I. Their styles were tailor-made for each other.

Personal career highlight:

Winning the WBC United States Silver welterweight title by stopping Sadam Ali [in three rounds] on the Canelo Alvarez-Daniel Jacobs undercard in May.

Toughest opponent:

Juan Rodriguez Jnr, who I fought in March [w rsf 6]. I hate southpaws! I feel like every time I hit him I hurt him, but he just wouldn’t stay down. I dropped him twice and ultimately the ref had to save him from himself.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:

My strengths are my conditioning and my chin. I throw a lot of punches and in order to do that you have to be in shape.

Training tip:

Run a lot and put those miles in because boxing is one sport that you can’t cheat. If you try to cheat it then it’ll show come fight night.

Favourite meal/restaurant:

Chicken Alfredo is my favourite dish. I don’t have a favourite restaurant.

Best friends in boxing:

Andre Ward and Tevin Farmer – two different personalities but two very genuine people.

Other sportsman you would like to be:

Stephen Curry – the golden child of the NBA.

Last film/TV show you saw:

Avengers: Endgame. I’m a big Marvel movie fan.

Who would play you in a film of your life:

I think Larenz Tate would fit my character perfectly. He’s a very good actor who deserves a lot more credit than he gets.

Have you ever been starstruck:

No, I’ve never been starstruck.

Last time you cried:

It was at a funeral of a family member. Just seeing how it affected everyone around me made me get a little emotional.

Best advice received:

Be married to the sport because you can’t cheat boxing and it’s a dangerous occupation.

Worst rumour about yourself:

That I’m stuck-up and conceited.

Something not many people know about you:

That I’m black, Puerto Rican and Mexican.