On his decision to defect from Cuba in 2009
"It was a really difficult decision. I left my family behind. I didn't know when I'd see them again. It was very difficult. Very complicated. I always talk on the phone with my son in Cuba. All of my family is over there. I hope the situation changes in Cuba. And everybody will be able to come and go as they please. I do believe it will be resolved one day.
"Now I live in the United States. Things have been going well for me. Now I can focus 100% on my athletic career. Americans live very differently from Latinos. Very differently, I think. But I'm an American now. Just so you know."
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BLH will have continuing coverage of Donaire-Rigondeaux all week long, with live round-by-round coverage on Saturday night starting at 11:00 pm EDT on HBO.