Boxing Camp Notes: Elvir “Kosovo Kid” Muriqi

ByBoxing Press

ELVIR “KOSOVO KID” MURIQI
CAMP NOTES

“Tarver’s Comeback Is A Magical Illusion”

May 29, 2007 (New York) – World Ranked Light Heavyweight contender Elvir “Kosovo Kid’ Muriqi (34-3, 21KO’s) has been in training camp for two weeks in the Pocono Mountains for his June 9th IBO World Championship bout against former undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (24-4, 18KO’s). The event will take place at the Connecticut Convention Center, located in the new riverfront district in downtown Hartford, CT.

Still two weeks away before fight night, fans can rest assured there will be no weight debacle at the scales. Murqi is already in peak form weighing a trim 179lbs!

“It’s great training in the Poconos. There are no distractions, so I can focus on the job at hand. I’m running at 6am every morning and sparring 10-12 rounds. Collin Morgan, my trainer, knows that I’m working very hard for this fight. I’m relentless with my training, but Colin is there to keep in under control. He’s been a tremendous asset to my career and come fight night I’m going to show the goods”

Although Muriqi is currently working with various sparring partner, he’s turned to former WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Lou Del Valle to help him make final preparations for his first mega-bout.

“I’ve got a huge sparring partner to try and push me around. I’ve got a fast fighter to work on my speed, and a few other guys that are very good at emulating Tarver’s style. I also turned to my old friend and former World Champion, Lou Del Valle to help put the finishing touches to my game.

Honestly, when Lou came to camp he wasn’t sure what to expect, if I had what it takes to defeat Tarver. Today he told me the only way I’ll lose to Tarver is if I lose my concentration in the bout.”

Boxing pundits are quick to point out that Tarver, who’s the betting favorite, clearly enjoys some physical advantages in height and reach. Muriqi says it’s irrelevant

”First of all, he’s not even the tallest guy I ever faced. But it doesn’t really matter. Styles make fights. Just look at how the 6’1” Rulsan Chagaev chopped down the 7’ former heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev. It’s all about styles. Come June 9th I’m going to chop down Antonio Tarver. He calls himself the “Magic Man” magic is an illusion, June 9 I will expose his tricks. I will be victoriousI didn’t train this hard and come this far to be a walkthrough opponent. I have the style to beat Tarver. On June 9th I’m going to prove that Tarver’s comeback is a magical illusion”

Collin Morgan had these closing words for the media:

“For those media writers and skeptics that are writing this is mismatch, you are in for a rude awakening. I’ve worked with some of the best in the business, and Elvir is one of my finest students. On June 9th your next headline will read “Elvir Shocks Tarver! Who’s Next?’”

IT’S TARVER vs. MURIQI –LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY JUNE 9TH AT THE CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER
Tickets, priced at $35, $50, $100, $200 and $500, are on sale at TicketMaster outlets by calling (860) 525-4500, online at TicketMaster.com and at The Connecticut Convention Center (860) 249-6000.

This event is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in association with Gary Shaw Productions and AT Entertainment.

For more information on Star Boxing visit http://www.starboxing.com