Andre Dirrell: There was a time I didn't want to do interviews

At the final press conference at Fenway Park yesterday super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell opened up about his feeling during his extended time off from the ring and about James DeGale.

"DeGale is not quiet. Today he's chilling, maybe because he's a little out of his comfort zone. But there's a lot of tension when you're standing right there next to your opponent. He might just be a little cranky today. I like to lighten the mood and stay comfortable. This is all a part of the game. Let's have fun now. It's ass-kicking time when we get in that ring, but outside it's all love.

"There was a time when I didn't want to do interviews. I didn't want to go to fights. I didn't want to hear fans online and on social media. I closed all them down because I didn't want to hear people ask, 'When are you fighting again? Talking about talent wasted, or saying I'm glad he's gone.' It hurt because there was nothing I could do. I was powerless even with all the power in the world."

The fight takes place Saturday afternoon live on NBC at 430pm EST.