Rodel Mayol Will Try To Dominate Ivan Calderon
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino challenger Rodel Mayol (25-3-1, 19 KO’s) plans to try to dominate undefeated WBO light flyweight champion Ivan Calderon (32-0-1, 6 KO’s)when they clash in a rematch in the Coliseum de Puerto Rico on September 12.
Well known ring physician Dr. Allan Recto told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Mayol told him “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.”
In their first meeting at Madison Square Garden last June 13, Calderon retained his title on the basis of a 6th round technical draw when he was cut due to an accidental clash of heads and the ringside physician ruled he was not fit to continue. The judges were split three ways with one judge having Calderon ahead 58-56, the other Mayol ahead by the same 58-56 margin and the third judge scoring it a 57-57 draw.
Mayol told us in a post-fight conversation that he thought he won that fight and vowed to defeat the champion Ivan Calderon in the rematch.
According to Dr. Recto, Mayol was accompanied to Puerto Rico by Manny Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz who told Dr. Recto “I think this will be a different and more exciting fight than last time since the fighters now know each other.”
Dr. Recto was able to talk to Calderon on the phone after the press conference and after Calderon’s workout in the gym. Calderon said “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. “
The champion made it clear the rematch “is 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.”
Calderon didn’t make any predictions about a possible knockout only stating “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.”
When asked by Dr. Recto about the fact that he planned to adopt a style that would allow him to hit and not get hit, the little Puerto Rican replied, “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.”
Calderon said he is sure Mayol “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.”
The Puerto Rican champion conceded that there was some advantage in defending his title before a hometown crowd. He said “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. ”
