Former 105- and 108-pound champion Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon is targeting an October fight at the annual WBO convention for his return to the 105-pound division, and he's looking to take on the best immediately.
Calderon (34-2-1, 6 KO) has lost both of his last two fights by knockout to Giovani Segura, which cost him his 108-pound championship. But the 36-year-old Puerto Rican slickster ruled for four solid years (2003-2007) at strawweight/minimumweight before moving up to junior flyweight, where he also immediately won the division's legit championship. Calderon defended his 108-pound championship six times, going 5-0-1, before losing last August to Segura.
His target for October is Raul Garcia (30-1-1, 18 KO), and the only way Calderon could have taken a tougher fight would have been to face Nkosinathi Joyi, the only man to yet beat Garcia. The 28-year-old Garcia is the twin brother of Ramon Garcia Hirales, who holds a title at 108 pounds. The brothers both won on a twin bill on April 30. Calderon last fought in the rematch against Segura on April 2.
Peter Rivera of Puerto Rico Best Boxing says that the fight is to see if Calderon can still compete with the best at 105, and if not, they'll strongly consider Calderon's retirement. You have to admire the fact that Calderon isn't going to waste time or look to pick up some cheap title win. He's going right at one of the division's best fighters.