BT:  BoxingTalk.com here with light heavyweight contender, Elvir Muriqi, the Kosovo Kid.  How's things going?  We hear you have a big fight coming up. "April 22nd I'm fighting Antonio Tarver.  Actually, it's the moment I've been waiting all my life for.  It feels great.  It's going national, worldwide on ABC, channel 7.  It's an honor to fight there, and show my skills.  I've had skill all my life, but I never fought a top guy that I could show them with."

BT:  Elvir, it's definelty the biggest fight of your career.  You're fighting a former world champion, probably a future Hall of Famer.  You said that you've always needed that name opponant to bring the best out of Elvir. Is that safe to say?   

EM:   Yes, everybody has a different path in their life.  I'm only 27 years old.  I only had ten amatuer fights.  So I make mistakes here and there, as a professional with training.  That was my path to get to the top .  April 22nd I will show myself as the top guy.  I'll show what I have and that I belong in there with the top guys.   I'm going to be one of the best fighters in the world.

BT:  It's safe to say that you're going to be the underdog.  Do you enjoy that role?  Do you feel that role will be an advantage?  That Antonio might take you lightly?

EM:  I've only been the underdog when I fought in the final round of the golden gloves here in New York City, and that was the best performance of my life.  I need to be underdog, I love to be underdog.  I haven't been underdog as a professional.  It feels good to be in ring with a guy like that.  A future Hall of Famer, the guys the top pound for pound fighter in the world.  One of the best fighters in the world.   So it's an honer.  A win over Antonio Tarver would be a great thing.  For my career, my family, for everbody around me.

BT:  Fighting on National Television is something that a lot of champion fighters never get to do ever in their career.  How do you feel about that?

EM:  It feels great.  It's worldwide, I used to fight in a lot of these kind of towns.  The exposure means a lot.  I'm honored, I feel great.  April 22nd I will show what I'm really made of.  I've been working trying to get my mind right.   With my mentality now, there's never been a better time for this kind of fight for me.  

BT:  I don't want to reveal your gameplan, but do you see any mistakes in Antonio Tarver's gameplan that you can take advantage of? Mistakes that you can see yourself capitalize on and eventually win the fight.

EM:  It all goes back to my mental. My mind and my calmness is going to win the fight that night. 

BT:  Have you started camp yet?

EM:  I'm in pretty good shape, I started my strength training in New York.  I've been sparring with Tony Stevens, Frank , Petey, John, all the top guys in New York.  I've been in the gym all year round.  I'm going to go to camp and sharpen up.  Eric Harding for one week or two.  Just sharpen up for the fight. 
 
BT:  Where's camp going to take place?

EM:  The Poconos, not too farin Pennsylvania.  The fight is going to be on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.  It's a Sunday afternoon, and I feel great about it.   

BT:  You've always been a big crowd draw.  Do you expect to  have a strong fan base come fight night?

EM:  I think there's not going to be enough room for my fans on fight night.  Fighting a future Hall of Famer.  The guy who knocked out Roy Jones Jr.  It's going to be so exciting.  Come fight night whoever comes to see will enjoy it.  Star Boxing is going to put on a great show that night. 

BT:  Thank you for your time Cossovo Kid.  Anything you'd like to say to your fans in closing?

EM:  I thank my fans from all over the world for sticking by me.  I'm going to make them proud that night.  I want to thank my trainer Colin Morgan.  I want to thank Joe Daguardia, Star Boxing League for making everything happen.  I want to thank everyone that's a part of my life.  And BoxingTalk I thank you guys so much.  Everytime I come to a boxing show.  Thank you so much for keeping me updated. 

M

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