21.05.07 – By James Slater: Twenty-eight year old Kosovo born Elvir Muriqi is eagerly awaiting his chance at causing a huge boxing upset next month. Facing the world renowned Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver for the vacant IBO light heavyweight title on June 9th, Elvir is very confident of making his name on the big stage. Nicknamed “The Kosovo Kid,” the man who relocated to his current home of New York is in the middle of intense training for his huge opportunity. With a very respectable record of 34-3 (21) the boxer-puncher says now is his time to shine and that he is very much ready for the highest profile opponent of his, now nine year, career.
Graciously taking time out from his training to speak with this writer, Elvir was keen to speak about his upcoming fight, amongst other things. Here is what he had to say.
James Slater: I appreciate your time, Elvir. Firstly, how are preparations going for the fight on June 9th?
Elvir Muriqi: Everything is going well. My team is helping me and I feel the timing is right for the big fight. I feel good.
J.S: Have you been sparring with anybody in particular?
E.M: I’ve been working with former world champion Lou De Valle, Robson Frank – Raul Frank’s brother – and John Snyder. I’ve had good sparring.
J.S: You’re confident of causing the upset then?
E.M: Oh, absolutely, absolutely. On June 9th there will be a big upset.
J.S: Looking at your stats, I see you KO’d a guy in one round in your last fight. Do you consider yourself a big puncher?
E.M: I consider myself more of a faster puncher. I mean, I can’t say I’m a devastating puncher like a Mike Tyson, but I’m a good puncher. I’m a pretty good puncher.
J.S: Antonio’s a southpaw, as you know. Have you faced many?
E.M: I’ve fought southpaws, and they were nothing. I knocked them out in one round. Obviously, they were nowhere near the calibre of Antonio Tarver. But I’ve faced southpaws – I helped Lou De Valle get ready for his fight with Roy Jones. I’ve been sparring southpaws for a long time. It doesn’t really matter, it’s just another fight. It doesn’t matter if the opponent is right or left handed.
J.S: Were you annoyed when the fight was postponed from its original date?
E.M: I was a little upset, but I’m not in a position to complain about it. I’m happy I’m getting the opportunity now, because the better level of fighter I fight, the better I am. When the fight was postponed, they told me it had been re-scheduled. Nobody knew it, but I’m just glad that the fight is back on now.
J.S: As you know, Antonio’s a big name in the sport, he’s a movie star, too. He’s the biggest name you’ll have ever faced……
E.M: (jumping in) Oh, absolutely. There are only a few real big stars in boxing right now – like Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya. And Antonio Tarver’s one of those big names. I feel great to be facing such a big star.
J.S: Do you feel as though you might be hungrier than him, seeing as he’s already achieved so much?
E.M: Absolutely, absolutely. I want everything that he has. I feel like this is my time now, he has already done it.
J.S: What type of fight do you expect from him?
E.M: I expect him to be somewhat like he was when he fought [Glen] Johnson and [Bernard] Hopkins. I expect a little bit of what he was in both of those fights.
J.S: Assuming you do win, as you are confident you will, what would you like next?
E.M: To be honest, I don’t have no plans. I just want to win this fight. After that I can look ahead to facing Roy Jones or whoever. It doesn’t matter who, I’ve just got to win this fight. The belt we’re fighting for (the IBO) is not the best belt, but to me this is my world title fight.
J.S: Do you look at any light heavyweight as the best in the world. Do you think Tarver’s the best?
E.M: Right now, yeah, I think Tarver’s the biggest name. I mean, before the fight with Hopkins he was considered to be one of the best fighters in the world, pound-for-pound. So, yeah, I consider him the best.
J.S: Do you feel as though you’re at your peak right now, at age twenty-eight?
E.M: Yes, I feel very strong. I feel better than I’ve ever done. Calmness comes with experience and I’ve been feeling so calm. That’s going to be a big factor in the fight, my calmness.
J.S: It’s been great speaking with you, Elvir. For my final question, do you have any prediction for the fight?
E.M: Just a W. I don’t know how, just as long as I get a W. There might be a knockout, there might not, I don’t know. Just as long as I get that W.
J.S: Well, I wish you best of luck for June 9th. Thank you for your time.
E.M: Okay, thank you very much.