Elvir Muriqi

The “Kosova Kid” makes history as a kickboxing and heavyweight boxer, and now aims to become a World Champion.

Elvir Muriqi was shaping up to be a great fighter in his hometown of, when his family decided to flee from the growing tension in Kosova and move to the United States in 1996. A self-described tough kid, Muriqi turned his ambition, endurance, energy, and passion to sports, training in boxing, karate, tennis, soccer, and gymnastics. At age 9, he started concentrating on boxing, and after two years, switched to kickboxing. Muriqi was a focused kid with big dreams and a great training discipline. His determination paid off and he won first place in the Kosovar kickboxing championship of 1995. When the family moved to New York, Muriqi immersed