This Is The Cover Feature Story For July 07 Issue!
Click Here & Buy It Now!Exclusive Interview with

WBO Minimumweight Champion:
Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon

By:/Por: Sal Acevedo Jr.
Photoby:/Foto Por: David Studio (Grafika Cuatro)
Issue/Edicion: July/Julio 2007

Upon entering a boxing ring, the basic mentality of a fighter is “to hit and not get hit.” It’s the first lesson boxing aspirants learn from trainers. Doesn’t sound so difficult… punch your opponent and move before they smack you back. But having even the slightest knowledge about the Sweet Science tells you it’s far from an easy task. For WBO Minimumweight Champion Ivan Calderon executing the pugilistic art of giving without receiving has become his own trademark.

Hailing from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, this elusive and highly defensive skilled southpaw has mastered the ability to strike opponents and quickly vanish out of danger. His dazzling quickness and swift footwork make him a difficult target. Opponents are often discouraged when they face “Iron Boy.” Not since Boxing Hall of Fame member Pernell Whitaker has the boxing world seen this sort of remarkable talent.

The 5’ 1” Calderon who boasts an undefeated record of 28-0 with 6 KO’s has frequently showcased his skills on ESPN and Telefutura but is looking to land bigger paydays. Primer Round Magazine recently spoke with the champion as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career. He will face WBO Junior Flyweight Champion Hugo Cazares of Sinaloa, Mexico, in yet another chapter between the two boxing powerhouses.

PRM – Hello champ, are you geared up and ready to go for your upcoming meeting August 25th?

IC – Oh yes, absolutely.

PRM – What phase of your training are you currently executing?

IC – We are doing glove work now and have sparred seventeen rounds. And we are well prepared.  

PRM – Tell us how you feel being on the cover of Primer Round Magazine?

IC – Well I feel proud as it is very difficult for a fighter in my division to accomplish that. It is a dream come true to be reaching that difficult goal of landing on the cover of such important publications as Primer Round.
PRM – Before you turned pro, you had a successful amateur stint where you earned the opportunity to represent Puerto Rico in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Did that experience help you toward your professional career?

IC – Definetely. It taught me a lot because I was actually going to turn pro ahead of time. I realized that I wasn’t ready back then so I tried for the Puerto Rican Olympic team. I had previously beaten Brian Viloria as an amateur and that opened the doors to the Olympic team. After that I was ready to turn pro.

PRM – We know that you are actively involved in your community and currently hold a job with the City of Guaynabo in the Sports and Recreation Department working with underprivileged kids. Is that correct?

IC – Yes. Even before I turned pro I was given the opportunity by a private company to train kids in boxing. Then I began doing other activities like visiting schools and lecturing kids. I myself never finished the fourth grade until I was 27 years old. I made my self a promise that if I ever completed my education I would return to tell kids how important it is for them to complete their education too. I try to be a good example to them.  

PRM – Many of your bouts have been televised on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights and Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo, but outside of the hard-core boxing base the name Ivan Calderon isn’t a household name yet, and hasn’t received the attention it deserves. Do you feel the recognition is affected by your defensive style?

IC – It has a lot to do with it in the sense that boxing nowadays doesn’t promote my style of fighting which focuses on pure boxing. Nowadays what boxing fans like more is the display of power. But those that now about boxing can appreciate Ivan Calderon. I think I have revived good boxing. My style isn’t boring, it’s hit and avoid getting hit, I just simply don’t have the power that people like to see, but I’m always aggressive. And I always give a good show.

PRM – So far, who has been your toughest opponent?

IC – Everyone always mentions Ronald Barrera but I’ve always said it was “Mako” Leyva in the sense that I felt he had me in trouble to the point I thought I could lose the fight when I receive a punch to the kidney. At that time I felt that if the bell didn’t ring soon I wasn’t going to be able to finish the round. I think that’s been my most difficult experience where I actually worried about losing. Against Barrera, he did an intelligent fight but he never had me hurt and I never felt fear of losing that fight.

PRM – On several occasions you mentioned that one of your primary goals in boxing is to break the record of 22 title defenses in the straweight division held by Hall of Famer Ricardo “Finito” Lopez. Is that pursuit still a top priority for you?

IC – That has always been a goal in my career. But currently I have other goals like winning titles. What good is it to pursue the record of “Finito” Lopez if there is nothing in return? I mean, if they give my an opportunity to fight in another weight class where I could make more money, well then I’ll forget about breaking that record and instead look for bigger paydays. Nowadays it’s difficult for me to find good fights at 105 lbs. Each day it’s becoming harder for me to break the record of “Finito” Lopez. 

PRM – Who do you feel is the best Pound-For-Pound fighter in the world today?

IC – I’ve always said Mayweather. I think he has proved it by going from 130 lbs. to win a title at 154 lbs. He has proved it by fighting the best in the world. His skills may have diminished a bit but he has proven to be the best pound for pound. There is no one else worthy of mentioning.

PRM – Let’s talk about the upcoming grand event titled CHAMPION vs. CHAMPION/CALDERON vs. CAZARES. How important is this fight for you?

IC – It’s very important because it’s the fight that will put me on the map here in Puerto Rico and I will be able to show people in the U.S. who doubt that I don’t have the skills and strength to move from 105 lbs. and win a title at 108. I always remind people that when I turned pro I was fighting at 108 but the opportunity at 105 simply presented itself and I took it. But I think this is the fight that will put me on the map and after that I will have the opportunity to unify against other champions at 108.

PRM - Considering you are moving up in weight to face a bigger and stronger southpaw, have you been forced to make drastic changes in your training?

IC – You always have to make adjustments. I’ve had to do more weight lifting and eat the proper food. But we’re fine; right now I’m weighing about 110 lbs. I’m a little worried because it’s only 2 lbs. over the limit with still over a month left for the bout. We are entering a strenuous phase of our training and I will surely continue to drop in weight. But in terms of strength, I feel more solid and stronger. 

PRM – Hugo has promised a knockout victory, tell us your thoughts.

IC – Well everyone is entitled to their opinion. So far it’s been 28 fighters that have all said they would knock out Ivan Calderon, and each of those fights I finished with my hand in the air. They always end up frustrated because they could never hit their target.

PRM – Cazares has defeated several Puerto Rican fighters including Nelson Dieppa, Alex “Nene” Sanchez and Miguel “Samurai” Valle. Do you feel the responsibility of obtaining revenge for the losses of your countrymen?

IC – I don’t see it that way. I don’t look to avenge anyone. They got into that mess with him and it isn’t my problem. I come to do my work and accomplish my goal, which is to become world champion at 108 lbs. But I am not coming with that mentality of taking revenge for the losses of any Puerto Ricans. I’ve always said that it’s my style that will dominate this fight. “Nene” Sanchez is a fighter that stands in front of you; Dieppa is another fighter that doesn’t move much. With Miguel Valle, a southpaw that moves a bit more, Cazares had trouble. It’s that fight I am looking to follow.

PRM – This bout will take place in your native Puerto Rico, where the support from fans will be in your favor. Do you feel that could affect the outcome of the bout, especially if it ends in a decision?

IC – No not all. I think that Puerto Rico has proven that they give the fight to whoever deserves to win it. Here there are no favorites. It has been proved in close fights before that no matter where the fighters are from the win goes to whoever earned it. I don’t feel that I have an advantage. Here the decisions are just. Cazares doesn’t have to worry about that. And I also have no worries because I know the decision would go to who really deserves it.     

PRM – What are you expecting to see from Cazares come fight night?

IC – I expect him to apply pressure as he has previously mentioned. I know he will try to knock me out, but if he doesn’t knock me out in the early rounds I know that after the sixth round he will start losing energy because of the sacrifice he is having to do to make weight at 108 lbs. I think the first five round he will be very aggressive so I have to be very careful during those initial rounds.  

PRM – And what can Cazares expect from Calderon?

IC – As always, great boxing. And I too can be aggressive during the first five rounds as I did against “Mako” Leyva. We can mix it up boxing and punching, it all depends after we feel each other out.

PRM – How true is it, that next to Oscar De La Hoya (who is married to Puerto Rican singer Millie Corretjer and lives part-time in the island), Hugo Cazares is the most popular Mexican in Puerto Rico at this moment?

IC – Yes, I do think so. About 80% of Puerto Ricans here are worried that Cazares can defeat me. Because of that, it seems that he is very popular at this time. They have him right up there with Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya fighting against “Tito” Trinidad, that’s how the fans are viewing this fight here in Puerto Rico.

PRM – Lastly, what message can you give your fans as they anxiously wait for the arrival of August 25th?

IC – Support me and watch the fight. It will be an interesting fight, a lesson of boxing skills. They will be surprised. I’ve always said the boxer dominates the puncher and they will see it that night. I am prepared to display another boxing lesson, and show what it’s like to give and not receive. The size and power of Cazares does not intimidate me, I am prepared to become champion at 108 lbs., just as I did at 105.

Calderon, 32, has held the WBO title since 2003 when he defeated Eduardo Ray Marquez of Nicaragua in Las Vegas, NV. He has made 12 successful title defenses, five of them against Mexican opponents. Throughout his stellar career he has defeated a total of fourteen fighters hailing from south of the border. Prepare for another clash between boxing giants: Puerto Rico vs. Mexico.

CHAMPION vs. CHAMPION/CALDERON vs. CAZARES is promoted by PR Best Boxing in association with Golden Boy Promotions. The event will air live on Pay-Per-View from the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.  Primer Round Magazine is happy to announce that DISH network along with J & J Sports, will be airing the fight here in the States, with a live PPV feed.  To order this spectacular showdown, you can log online at www.dishnetwork.com/PPV or call 1-800-DISH-PPV (1-800-347-4778).

 

 

 

To Read The Rest Of The Interview Buy Your Copy Now!

Back To/Regresar A: Salvador Acevedo Jr.