By Jhonny Gonzalez
At the Coliseo Mario 'Quijote' Morales in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, WBA junior flyweight champion Giovanni Segura (25-1-1, 21KOs) unified by capturing the WBO title by knocking out previously undefeated Ivan Calderon (34-1-1, 6KOs). Segura landed a shot to the liver in the eight round. Calderon went down to a knee and took the full count. The fight was a war and fought at a close pace.
Going into the eigth round, Segura was leading on the official cards with a split decision. Two judges favored Segura with scores of 67-66 and 68-65 but the third judge, Carlos Colon of Puerto Rico, had it scored for Calderon. There are conflicting reports over his score, with some noting it as 69-65 and others as 67-66.
Calderon said he couldn't recover from the liver shot. He plans to return in 2011 after a good rest.
"I fought a fight that was not mine but I lost to warrior. I wanted to stand a bit to fight toe to toe, but he planted a good shot to the liver and I could not recover. Segura has no style, but he has a big heart, fought like a warrior. I think I deserve another chance. I'll relax and return next year. One falls but he has to raise himself up, just like Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto who fell but got up," Calderon said.