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Calderon vs. Mayol 2: Press Conference Notes Plus Exclusive Interviews with Mayol and Calderon By Dr. Allan Recto PhilBoxing.com Thu, 20 Aug 2009  Laredo, Texas (Aug. 19, 2009) Puerto Rico's star attraction undefeated WBO Jr. Flyweight Champ Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon (32-0-1/ 6 KOs) and Filipino challenger Rodel "Batang Mandaue" Mayol (25-3-1/ 19 KOs) met again today at the press conference held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Their much-awaited rematch on September 12th will be held at the Coliseum de Puerto Rico "Jose Miguel Agrelot" promoted by PR Best Boxing Promotions. In their last fight, Calderon was bleeding in the sixth round due to an accidental head butt by Mayol in their June 13 match at the Madison Square Garden, which ended in a technical draw. Scorecards read 58-56 each for both fighters, while the 3rd one read 57-57, making it dead even wherein both fans and boxers became very upset & unsatisfied. Because the outcome was inconclusive except Calderon retained the WBO belt, a rematch was in order. Mayol thought he won that fight and vowed to defeat the Champion Ivan Calderon this time. Boxing agent Michael Koncz accompanied Mayol for this trip to Puerto Rico. “I think this will be a different and more exciting fight than last time since the fighters now know each other, “ texted Koncz to this writer. Koncz was surprised at the large press turn out and added, “the people were great and we were treated very well in Puerto Rico.” During this boxing writer’s lunch break at the office, a phone call to the challenger Rodel Mayol was made. Mayol said he “jogged around the hotel this morning for about 50 minutes to keep his stamina up. He weighed 118 lbs. last week, 10 lbs. over the limit, but should drop again this week due to heavy workout.“ Mayol stated, “I will be entering the most difficult phase of my training.” He trains at the Wild Card Gym of world-renowned coach Freddie Roach who sometimes takes over the punch mitts from trainer Jesse Arevalo. “Freddie Roach would give us tips and offer strategies on how to beat Calderon,” he continued. Mayol spars with Filipino fighters AJ Banal (a southpaw) and WBO minimum weight world champ Donnie Nietes, both from the ALA Gym in Cebu, Philippines. Mayol further added that he had “signed the fight contract and this match is now official.” At the presscon today, he was asked how he found Puerto Rico and he said, “The people were nice and friendly. It is a beautiful island and the people are great.” Mayol further stated to this writer, “I will try to win every round convincingly so the judges won’t have a hard time choosing the winner, which is me. I will have to train hard for 12 full rounds. I won’t predict to win by knock out, but if there’s an opportunity, I will go for the knock out. I hope it happens.” Later in the afternoon, after office hours, this writer was able to have a “one on one phone interview” with Ivan Calderon who was in Puerto Rico, thru the help of his promoter Ivan Rivera of PR Best Boxing. The current WBO Jr. Flyweight world champion Calderon had just finished today’s training workout, and the phone interview went like this: Champ Ivan Calderon – Hello…hello? Dr. Recto – Yes, good afternoon, may I please speak with Champ Ivan Calderon? Champ Ivan Calderon – Speaking…who is this? Dr. Recto – Champ, this is Dr. Allan Recto. I write for philboxing.com and I saw your fight with Mayol in New York last June. Anyway, I have some questions for you, is it okay? Champ Ivan Calderon – Yeah, go ahead. Dr. Recto – First of all, how do you feel now and how's training? Champ Ivan Calderon - My training is really going well. We're doing hard sparring. I'm at 112 lbs., 4 pounds over the limit, I won't have any problems making weight and I'm feeling good. Dr. Recto – Is this a friendly fight or a grudge match? Champ Ivan Calderon - It's not going to be friendly when we get on top of the ring. Well, as it has always been in boxing, two people fight and they go after each other in the ring, but after the fight, they can be friends. I don't see this as a grudge match. Dr. Recto – You are predicting a win I assume, are you expecting to win by decision or by knockout? Champ Ivan Calderon - I know I'm going to win, but I don't know how it is going to be - whether by decision or by knockout. To me, it doesn't matter, as long as I get the win. Dr. Recto – In one of the articles I've read, you were going to have a style that is "to hit and not get hit", explain that? Champ Ivan Calderon - You know in the last fight with Mayol, I was coming from a long lay off, but this time, you will see the real Ivan Calderon, just like in my past fights, fast, hitting hard but not getting hit. Dr. Recto – Are you concerned that Mayol will come in very aggressive, being the challenger? Champ Ivan Calderon - No, no, I'm sure he will be more aggressive. I like that and it will be easier for me. I have the skills to beat him. I'm sure he will come forward and all that, but I'm very well prepared for that.? Dr. Recto – You grew up in New York and now live in Puerto Rico, why? Champ Ivan Calderon - Yes, I was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in New York, but now I live in Puerto Rico. I like it here. My family is here. Dr. Recto – How do you feel fighting in front of a hometown crowd? Do you feel you will win because of the hometown advantage? Champ Ivan Calderon - I like it. It's an honor; I'm excited to be fighting in front of my family and friends. It feels good to fight in front of my countrymen. It motivates me to work more hard. There’s some advantage. Dr. Recto – Is it true you are going to spar with Miguel Cotto in his preparation for the Pacquiao fight in November? Champ Ivan Calderon - Oh, that is not sure yet. It was just an idea we gave to Miguel Cotto that I could spar with him after my fight with Mayol. I am also a fast southpaw just like Manny Pacquiao. We are just entertaining that as a possibility, nothing's definite yet. 8. Dr. Recto – There's a possibility that Miguel Cotto and/ or Manny Pacquiao will be at your fight, how do you feel about that? Champ Ivan Calderon – That will be great. Yes, they will have the same day press conference in Puerto Rico on the day of our fight. Mayol is one of Pacquiao's fighters so I think he will watch the fight just like the last time in New York. Dr. Recto – Who do you pick to win Cotto or Pacquiao in November 14? Champ Ivan Calderon - It's going to be a hard fight for both but I think Cotto will win. It will be Miguel Cotto. He still got the energy, he's young, he has the spirit, and his boxing skills are better. Cotto has the heart of a true champion. Dr. Recto – How about the September 12th? Champ Ivan Calderon - Definitely, it will be Ivan Calderon. Dr. Recto – Any message to your boxing fans all over the world? Champ Ivan Calderon - I'm glad that the boxing fans support us small guys and we will continue to try to give them the best show. Everyone will enjoy the fight. This will be a better fight than the first one. I assure my fans that it will be a great fight and I will win. Dr. Recto – How about to Rodel Mayol and the Filipino people? Champ Ivan Calderon - To all the Philippines, I wish them well. I love them. Ivan is going to continue to be the WBO champion at 108 lbs. I will fight with Mayol from the very first round. I wish Mayol luck but there can only be one winner, and that is going to be Ivan Calderon. Dr. Recto – Finally, any particular Filipino fighter you want to fight in the future? Champ Ivan Calderon - Right now, I don't know any other Filipino fighter to fight me. After Mayol, I'd like to fight the best Philippines can offer, who every comes, after Mayol. But now, I'm concentrating on Mayol. Dr. Recto – Thank you and good luck to both of you! Bye. Champ Ivan Calderon- Goodbye! Now Filipino friends and boxing fans, it is up to you to formulate your own conclusion about this rematch! Final notes: Bernabe Concepcion will fly to the Philippines tonight on board PAL PR 103 scheduled to depart Los Angeles at 11 pm bound for Manila, Philippines. Concepcion patiently awaits word for his rematch with WBO Featherweight World Champion Steven Luevano sometime in December 2009 as per Top Rank’s boss Bob Arum. Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank calls Calderon “the best pure boxer in the sport.” Special thanks to Top Rank’s publicist Ricardo Jimenez, who accompanied Mayol and Koncz in their flight to Puerto Rico, for responding quickly when this writer texted him (Jimenez) to provide some information about what the WBO Champ Ivan Calderon mentioned at the press conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico today. Jimenez stated similar things that Calderon has told this writer, “That he trained hard and was well prepared; everyone will see a different style, the real Ivan Calderon, that hits hard and doesn’t get hit! “ Jimenez added. This boxing writer will miss the Puerto Rico fight but instead will be in Nayarit, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico for the Latin Fury card, the same night of September 12. It would be an honor and privilege to work the WBO minimum weight world champ Donnie Nietes’ corner as “cutman” per his request and that of ALA Gym owner, businessman Antonio Aldeguer. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.  |
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