Arguably the best pure boxer in the game today Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon 33-0-1(6) will look to end his 9 month hiatus from the ring when he reappears on 29 May in Bayamon, Puerto Rico against WBO Interim champion Johnriel Casimero 14-0(8). The fight will be Calderon’s 6th defence of the WBO Light Flyweight title he won in 2007 when he bested Hugo Cazares. Altogether mighty mite Calderon 35, has taken part in 18 World title fights going 17-0-1(2) beating 9 past or present world champions a along the way. So far collected 2 world titles previously the WBO Strawweight crown & currently the WBO Light Flyweight title. Here’s what he had to say.
Hello Ivan, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly it has been mentioned that your next fight will be against your Interim champion Johnriel Casimero. What is the target date & where will it be? What do you think of him as a fighter?
Ivan Calderon – Yes, my next fight will be with Johnriel Casimero. This fight is scheduled for May 29, 2010 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. I think Casimero is a young good and strong fighter.
Anson Wainwright – How have you recovered from the cut on your forehead from your previous fight with Rodel Mayol? Did you have to have plastic surgery?
Ivan Calderon – Yes, I believe I have recovered from the cut on my forehead. No, I just had eight stitches.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about team Calderón. Who is your trainer, manager & promoter? Also what gym do you regularly use to train at?
Ivan Calderon – Team Calderon is composed of Jose Sanchez, my trainer along with Felix Pagan Pintor. My physical trainer is Angel Cotto and my cut man is Miguel Diaz. My manager and promoter is Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotion with Peter and Ivan Rivera. I train at Wilfredo Gomez Arena Gym in Guaynabo.
Anson Wainwright – You had an impressive amateur career in which you appeared in the Olympics. Can you tell us what titles you won & what your final record was?
Ivan Calderon – As an amateur I competed in the Central American Games in 1998 winning a bronze medal. I also competed in the Pan-American Games in 1999 and was the only Puerto Rico boxer to win a medal [bronze].I went to the Olympic Games in Sydney Australia in 2000. My amateur record was 110 wins and 20 lost.
Anson Wainwright – Your thought of as one of the best pure boxers in the sport. What can you tell us about how you go into fights knowing that your going to have to box and go the full 12 as you don’t really have a big punch?
Ivan Calderon – I dedicate myself to training very hard. I train not for 12 rounds but for 15 rounds. My punch is not that big, but my ability to out box my opponent. Over passes my punch.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Guaynabo and how you first became involved in Boxing?
Ivan Calderon – I moved to Guaynabo with my father at the age of fourteen. I did a lot of street fighting and one day my brother invited me to a gym. He quit and I stayed. I recognized that I was born to box. At the age of 17 I decided to get serious about my career in boxing.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What weight do you walk around at between fights?
Ivan Calderon – When I’m not boxing I’m dancing. I love to dance. I also spend my free time with my children. We have a four track and bikes. We do a lot of outdoor sports. When I’m not in training I weight about 118-120 pounds.
Anson Wainwright – Your nickname is Iron Boy why is that?
Ivan Calderon – I was called Tyson in the early years, but it was changed to Iron Boy by my promoter.
Anson Wainwright – You have won 2 world titles in 2 different weight classes beating 9 world champions. What goals do you still have in Boxing?
Ivan Calderon – My goal in boxing is winning in another weight class [112].
Anson Wainwright – Thirty five is thought of as old for a Light Flyweight, what are your thoughts on that? Do you look at things and have a time in your head that you’d like to retire? What would you like to do with your time then? Will you stay involved in Boxing?
Ivan Calderon – I think the age factor is not important. It is how you feel and your ability that counts. Retiring is not in my thoughts right now. When I retire, I will keep on training young boys to become good boxers and world champions.
Anson Wainwright – Who was your Boxing hero growing up?
Ivan Calderon – My boxing hero was Iron Mike Tyson and Wilfredo Gomez.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?
Ivan Calderon – To my fans I say, always follow your dreams. Believe in yourself, work hard, live clean, believe in God and your dreams will come true.
Thanks for your time Ivan, keep up the good work.
Thanks Ivan Calderon Marrero.
