But when you work with the director and the real person who is playing opposite you, it changes everything. You are almost in a working session. I was very comfortable, and that's maybe what helped me to get the part.

I quit after a bad car accident. The thing about boxing is that you can be a star for five or six years, but when you go back to the old life, it's tough.

I see my friends, my family, my cousins work all day long for very little money, and if I have this problem of not being able to wall on the streets, it's not a big deal.

I wanted to become a champ - I was surrounded by champs in my family and in my neighborhood - and because of this stupid accident, I lost my opportunity.

If you compare me to an actor, I'm probably one of the best boxers in the profession. But if you compare me as a boxer, I'm probably one of the best actors.

It's not only imagination, it's the distortion of the vision. You suddenly think, This person is idealistic, this person is strong, this person has dreams, when you know better most of the time. You put what you want to see on people.

My father was champion of North Africa and he beat the European champ. He was very good, a professional for 12 years. We're from a big family of boxers. My father has seven brothers.

Otherwise, to be a movie star, it's a lot of compromise and also a lot of headaches. You can't do what you want. You become a prisoner of your fame. This happened to me in France and I don't want it.

The first time Adrian saw me was on tape. But you should know that this never works - never in the history of movies has someone been cast from a video.

And what's more I've got no need for anyone to tell me how to do it. I am not interested. You act how you want to and leave me alone to do my own thing.

Who knows what happens tomorrow? We'll find it tomorrow.

Also, I have found that I really like to work in English. It's very strange because it's exactly the opposite of what I thought it would be like.

It's nice to have some distance with your family. As long as you're closer to them by love.

Love is based on imagination.

And I think it is the genius of actors to be able to escape whatever people are expecting of them. Otherwise you become like a factory worker.

But what I really like are old Hollywood movies. Very often I watch AMC.

I always say I was born too late in the world, too old.

I don't feel restricted by the language: I feel more free.

I don't have goals in life.

I don't want to dig in the truth all of the time. Let me dream.