Elvir Muriqi admits that he is a sizable underdog, going into his light heavyweight showdown with former world champion Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver. Muriqi says that he can’t blame people for thinking this way, after all Tarver will be inducted into Canastota some day. Nevertheless Muriqi says that public opinion will have no bearing on the actual outcome of their encounter. However if you take look at how Muriqi even got to where he is now, he’s no stranger to beating the odds. The 28 year old was born in the war torn nation of Kosovo, Yugoslavia. He owns as laid back a personality as you will ever find in boxing. At age 18 Muriqi, came to the United States after his family escaped the Civil War that escalated in his native home of Kosovo.
“To be honest with you this fight and this moment has been synced into my body and mind for a while and I’m just really calm and ready to go on Saturday night. I’ve been waiting for this fight for a long time and I’m just prepared to go on fight night. I’ve never had as good a feeling going into fight like the way I feel today,” said Muriqi.
The Albanian Muriqi, who now makes his home in the Bronx, New York will bring a record of 34-3 with 21 knockouts, into this bout. This match up is being sanctioned as a title bout by the IBO and is scheduled for 12 rounds. Muriqi’s voice does not give you the impression of a fighter who’s set to embark on undoubtedly the biggest fight in his career. Muriqi says that people have told him that he has nothing to lose. This is a notion that Muriqi totally disagrees with.
“I think that I’m the one that has everything to lose. I don’t want to be regarded as one of these guys who was good, but not good enough. I want to be a world champion before I retire and this is my opportunity to do so. Antonio Tarver has made his money, he’s won big fights, he accomplished great things and he is a future Hall Of Famer. I’m the one who is coming to cement my legacy and I will”, stated Muriqi.
In 1996, Muriqi got accustomed to his new home, and behind many of his fellow country man waving flags he won the 1996 version of the New York Daily News Golden Gloves tournament. Muriqi displayed such promise that MSG TV boxing analyst and legendary trainer Gil Clancy described him as the "best prospect I've seen in years".
Saturday June 9th could be the night that a once heralded prospect makes due on his potential.
“I thrive on challenges and its going to be an unbelievable rush when that bell rings. I’m happy to be on a major cable network like Showtime. I like the spotlight and I’m ready to perform. Throughout most of my career I’ve been a favorite and people have expected big things from me. Being the underdog role in this fight is fine. I was the underdog in the gloves when I was 18 and I beat a guy who was 32 years old and much stronger than I was and I won easy. I’ve prepared myself well; I’ve had a great camp. I have a lot of confidence in my team lead by Collin Morgan and all my sparring partners and training camp mates have helped me a lot and after all is said and done on June 9th I’ll be successful,” said Muriqi.
The tale of tape will show considerable advantages for Antonio Tarver over Muriqi. Between the two light heavies, there is no comparison in the caliber of opponents that they have faced. Height, reach all go to the former world champion. However the numbers that may favor “The Kosovo Kid” the most are the digits that read on his birth certificate. Muriqi is 10 years younger than the 38 year old Tarver. If you also take into account that Tarver has not fought in nearly a whole year since his one sided loss at the hands of Bernard Hopkins, who’s not to say that youth wont be served.
“Styles make fights and I know I’m the shorter fighter and height is only a disadvantage if someone is fighting a stupid fight. I’ve watched a few tapes of his fights against (Glen) Johnson and Hopkins but we are all different types of fighters. I’m expecting the best Tarver come Saturday. I think against Hopkins he had an off night. I think my biggest advantage over Tarver is that I’m a hungry and determined fighter. I know I’m hungrier than he is. I want to do what he’s done already,” said Muriqi.
His father, Ramiz will be in attendance along with plenty of family and friends. In fact it is a well known fact to east coast boxing promoters, that “The Kosovo Kid” sells tickets. The Showtime cable audience should not be shocked that the crowd favorite in Hartford, Connecticut will be Muriqi. Muriqi says though he will not even get caught up in the hype and the possible hometown advantage that he may have.
“I’m just focused and I will fight a fight that mirrors my career to this point and that’s patient and consistent. That’s my motto. I’ve put my effort in this game. I deserve to get this big fight. I’ve been a pro nine years and I’m ready to win. I’d like to thank all my fans for their support over the years and they’ve never let me down and I wont let them down,” said Muriqi.
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