Q: On May 6th you’re battling Ricardo Mayorga for his WBC World Super Welterweight Title. Is he as unpredictable and as rough a fighter in the ring as he appears?

A: Absolutely. I think even more so when he fights me because he's fighting the Golden Boy. He really wants to knock me out. I expect a rough fighter in there, and I expect it to be an exciting fight for the fans.

Q: What does this fight mean to you?

A: This is do-or-die for me. I have another big fight planned for September, with a really big name, which would be the last fight of my career. If I lose this match then there is no fight in September, and I want to go out in a big way with that match. I have to prove myself to everyone again. I have to show people out there I can still do it.

Q: How hard is it to mentally shake off the loss to Bernard Hopkins?

A: Not really difficult at all. I was fighting at 160 pounds and doing well against him for a number of rounds. When you consider that I started my career at 130 pounds, I actually felt it was an accomplishment. He just ended up being too strong. I'll say one thing: I'm doing more sit-ups now. Just the fact that I am fighting smaller guys again helps me mentally.

Q: Now that you are promoting your own fights, how does it impact your preparation for these matches?

A: As a fighter, it can affect you in a negative way if you let it. You are doing even more interviews than normal because you have an even bigger stake in things and you are hearing all the things your opponent is saying about you. It did affect me for the second fight with Shane Mosely, but now I have the experience to control it.

Q: Other boxers have tried their hand at promoting, mostly with mixed results. You appear ready to stay the course and have already had plenty of success. Why has it been different for you and Golden Boy Promotions?

A: The team has everything to do with it. I put together a team that had nothing to do with boxing. Our CEO, Richard Shaefer, has a background in banking. So first we built a top-notch business, followed by the boxing. Secondly, this is a long-term commitment for me, so that helps.