MANILA, Philippines – Isang mabigat na kalaban ang trato ni Puerto Rican world light flyweight champion Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon kay Filipino challenger Rodel Mayol.
Sinabi ni Calderon, magdedepensa ng kanyang hawak na World Boxing Organization (WBO) light fylweight crown, na napanood na niya ang ilang laban ni Mayol.
“I personally saw some footage of his fight with then world champion Ulises Solis where Mayol was stopped,” ani Calderon. “I will be well prepared for Mayol when we fight.”
Nakatakda ang upakan nina Calderon at Mayol sa Hunyo 13 sa ilalim ng maincard nina Puerto Rican world welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto at challenger Joshua Clottey sa Madison Square Garden sa New York City.
Tangan ni Calderon ang matayog na 32-0-0 win-loss-draw ring record kasama ang 6 KOs, samantalang dala ni Mayol ang 25-3-0 (19 KOs) slate.
Ito ang ikalawang pagkakataon na magtatangka ang 27-anyos na pambato ng Mandaue City, Cebu sa isang world light flyweight belt matapos matalo kay dating International Boxing Federation (IBF) king Ulises Solis via eight-round TKO noong Agosto 4 ng 2007.
Inagaw naman ni Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria kay Solis ang nasabing IBF light flyweight belt mula sa isang 11trh-round TKO noong Abril.
Noong Setyembre 30 ng 2008 pa huling lumaban ang 34-anyos na si Calderon kung saan niya tinalo si Hugo Fidel Cazares via seventh-round technical decision.
“As far as the inactivity, its even on both sides as Mayol has not fought in nearly 10 months as well. I don’t anticipate any ring rust on my part at all come fight night,” sabi ni Calderon. (Russell Cadayona)