Ivan Calderon: The Biggest Secret In Boxing
By Jason Kim: Unknown to many boxing fans is a hidden gem, a fighter by the name of Ivan Calderon (27-0, 6 KO’s) who fights in the Minimum weight class (formerly known as the “straw weight division), the lowest weight class in boxing, with an upper weight limit of 105 lbs. Much like the Junior Flyweight (108 lbs.), Flyweight (112 lbs.), Super Flyweight (115 lbs), Bantamweight (118 lbs), Super Bantamweight (122 Lbs), and Cruiserweight division (200 lbs), these weight classes are largely ignored by the fans mostly because of their inability to identify with fighters of such small stature, many of whom are smaller than the average fan’s Mother.
Of course, I’m not talking about the Cruiserweight, mind you, only the smaller weight classes that I previously listed. It may seem strange that a fighter with a 27-0 record, like Calderon, should be such a hidden factor, but the fact remains, he’s as unknown as your average journeyman fighter. Since winning the vacant WBO Minimum weight title in November 22, 2003, by defeating Lee Marvin Sandoval, Calderon has successfully defended the title an incredible 11 times without coming close to be defeated. Along the way, he’s beaten outstanding Minimum weight fighters, such as Daniel Reyes, Isaac Bustos, Jose Luis Varela and Alex Sanchez.
Calderon is a former 2000 Olympian, representing Puerto Rico, along with team mate and best friend, Miguel Cotto. Calderon has a slashing punching style, which is very effective due to his ability to land a huge accumulation of punches against his opposition.
Not known for his power, still, Calderon punches very hard, hence his nickname “Iron Boy,” a name he received because he punches as hard as fighters in higher weight classes. However, instead of focusing on knockouts and power punching, Calderon prefers to box, something he does quite well, dazzling his opponents with his technical brilliance, counter-punching and ring generalship.
Since winning the championship, Calderon has been so good, that there has been a lack of comparable competition for which he can make exciting fights. However, as of recent, two up and coming fighters, Muhammad Rachman and Eagle Kyowa, have emerged and there are talks of matching one of the two against him in the near future. For me, I’m hoping this eventually happens, for this would be an exciting bout with either of them. As things are now, Calderon as standing alone a top the division, at least in terms of skill. The other champions, Eagle Kyowa (WBC), Yukata Niida (WBA), and Muhammad Rachman (IBF), round out the different organizations.
Related Posts
Posted December 14th, 2006 l 99 Views
