KOSOVO Kid Elvir Muriqi, who fights in Jersey next month, has a lethal weapon to hand in his battle for an IBF world title – former world welterweight champion James ‘Buddy’ McGirt.

Muriqi is holed up in Miami with McGirt – the 2002 Boxing Writers’ Association of America Trainer of the Year – and trainer Chelo Betancourt ahead of his world title eliminator with Clinton Woods at the Hotel de France next month.

The American fighter – born in Kosovo – is said to be in ‘terrific shape’ as he prepares to climb the IBF rankings from his current 14th and leapfrog IBF-ranked No. 4 Woods for a chance to claim Chad Dawson’s IBF belt.

Muriqi’s promoter, Brad Jacobs, says: ‘Everything is going great for Elvir at the moment – Buddy is a former world champion himself, and he’s one of the best trainers in the world.’ ‘From everything he’s told me, Elvir is in terrific shape, there’s no question about it. We are confident he has what it takes to win the fight.’

• Picture: Elvir Muriqi, right, is in ‘terrific shape’