Calderon Holds on to Make Sixth Defense of WBO 105-pound Belt.

For the first half of his title defense against Gerardo Verde, Ivan Calderon lived up to his “Iron Boy” nickname. The diminutive minimumweight hammered his younger opponent at will, blunting the Mexican’s aggression with sharp, discouraging counters. For a while it looked as if Calderon would pull off a dominating

Click for larger image © Curtis McCormick

performance but all the movement began to catch up with the thirty-year-old. At ten years Calderon’s junior, Verde, 13-2 (10), entered the later rounds the much fresher man. Gradually Calderon threw less and landed at a lower percentage, while the pressure of the Mexico City man finally began to become a factor in the bout.

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The willful banger from south of the border was catching up to Calderon and attacked the Puerto Rican’s body every chance he got. “Iron Boy” still had his moments but it was clear he could no longer hold Verde off as earlier in the action.

Calderon, 23-0 (5), did get a second wind and managed to reestablish a measure of control before the bout ended, recognized by the judges who all gave the contest to the reigning champion who retained his WBO minimumweight title for the sixth time.

Click for larger image © Curtis McCormick

Curtis McCormick can be reached at thomaspointrd@aol.com