GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO- Former two time world champion, Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon, announced yesterday his retirement of boxing in an event held at the new Amelia Municipal Boxing Gym Felix Pagan Pintor, where Calderon is going to work as trainer and administrator.
After 11 years as a professional boxer, a record of 35-3-1, 6 KOs, and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles at 105 and 108 pounds, Calderon, 37, hung up the gloves to continue as a teacher for the new generation of boxers.
“This (retirement) was difficult, because it’s something I love, but I want to say that I’m doing this, not because I’m old or tired. I’m doing this because I want to work with the kids and youth, bringing them my knowledge and tips”, Calderon said.
Calderon had a great amateur career with multiple international tournaments, winning bronze medals at the 1998 Central American and Caribbean Games in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and the 1999 Panamerican Games in Winnipeg, Canada, and fighting at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In 2001, Calderon debuted as a professional with a KO win over Sergio Diaz in Las Vegas. In his 16th fight, Calderon beat Eduardo Ray Marquez to become the WBO minimum champion. Calderon defended this title 12 times before challenge Hugo Cazares for the WBO junior flyweight title. The Puerto Rican won a split decision to become the new 108lbs champion. This title was defended six times by Calderon before losing against Giovani Segura in 2010. His last fight was on October 6, 2012, when he was defeated by world champion Moises Fuentes.
Today Calderon had with him his wife, father, trainers Jose “Cheche” Sanchez and Felix Pagan Pintor, Mayor of Guaynabo Hector O’Neill, WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, and boxers like Roman “Rocky” Martinez, the WBO junior lightweight champion, former world champions Juan Manuel “Juanma” López, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., Alfredo “Salsero” Escalera, WBO Latino lightweight champion Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez, WBO Latino flyweight champion McWilliams Arroyo, WBO Latino featherweight champion Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz, WBO flyweight Youth champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez, and former Olympians Victor Bisbal, Carlos Valcarcel, Felix Verdejo and Jeyvier Cintron. Also, 2011 Panamerican Games gold medallist, Kiria Tapia.
