WBO junior flyweight champion Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon dominated Jesus Iribe to earn a unanimous decision victory in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden Saturday night.
In the second round, Calderon (34-0-1, 6 KOs) was actually floored by a solid right hand landed by Iribe (16-7-5).
However, Calderon quickly recovered and used his movement and boxing skills to overwhelm Iribe for the final ten rounds.
“I got hit hard and went down in the second round,” said Calderon, 35, who flourished in past sparring sessions against superstars Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) and Shane Mosley (46-6, 39 KOs). “But I knew good movement would beat him.”
This weekend marked the sixth time Calderon successfully defended his crown since he captured it from Hugo Fidel Cazares (31-6-2, 22 KOs) via split decision in August 2007.
“Considering it was basically two horse jockeys fighting with zero power, it was kind of exciting,” said Brad Sherwood, 29, a resident of South Boston who works as a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym in Medford.
Calderon will never be an exceptional draw in the ring and his days as a prizefighter may be nearing an end.
Whenever Calderon ultimately chooses to retire, he will vacate the sport as a true professional and warrior.
Boxing could use more men like Ivan Calderon.
Keywords: boxing, ivan calderon, oscar de la hoya, shane mosley
