MANILA, Philippines - Sa mga laban na napanood ni Filipino challenger Rodel Mayol, sinabi nitong isang ‘boring fighter’ si Puerto Rican world light flyweight champion Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon.
“Everyone knows Ivan Calderon is a good boxer but many say his fights are boring,” ani Mayol sa panayam ng Fightnews.com. “I will ensure that on Saturday night this fight will not be boring.”
Nakatakdang hamunin ng 27-anyos na si Mayol ang 34-anyos na si Calderon para sa suot nitong World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight belt bukas sa Madison Square Garden sa New York City.
Ayon kay Calderon, ipapakita niya kay Mayol kung ano ang sinasabi nitong mga ‘boring fights’ niya.
“He may say my fights are boring because you are used to see boxers hit and I’m never getting hit,” sabi ni Calderon. “I know it’s going to be a good fight. They trained and I trained hard for this fight. My style is hit, don’t get hit and go back home with no marks.”
Ibinabandera ni Mayol ang 25-3-0 win-loss-draw ring record kasama ang 19 KOs kontra sa 32-0-0 (6 KOs) ni Calderon.
Ito ang ikatlong pagkakataon na maghahangad si Mayol na makasikwat ng isang world boxing title matapos matalo kina World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight king Eagle Den Junlaphan noong 2006 at kay International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight ruler Ulises Solis noong 2007.
Ang naturang IBF title ni Solis ay nasa mga kamay na ni Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Villoria.
Sinasabing magtutungo si Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao sa Madison Square Garden para personal na panoorin ang laban ni Mayol kay Calderon bukod sa panonood sa pagdedepensa ni Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto kay Joshua Clottey.
“A lot of people say he’ll have Manny Pacquiao in his corner but I’ll have the whole country of Puerto Rico in mine,” pagyayabang ni Calderon kay Mayol. (Russell Cadayona)