"Iron Boy" Iván Calderón - like Rodney Dangerfield, gets no respect.

IntentionalButt · Dec 5, 2017

First there was this indiscretion which I noticed earlier today while posting in a thread asking where the newly retired Miguel Ángel Cotto (whom Calderón defeated in the amateurs in 1993, incidentally) ranks among greats from Puerto Rico:

IntentionalButt said: ↑

Surprised to see a few mentions for Iván Calderón but all rating him lower than Junito.

For me, they're extremely close. Both are just behind Tito as the greatest trio from PR in the "modern era" if we define that as, say, debuting since 1990.

Very like circumstances in their career pitfalls too. (Segura was basically Margarito writ teeny)

Iron Boy had a thoroughly fantastic run (longevity & reasonable quality, with consistent form; was never beaten in his prime, or even close to it) that went largely unnoticed in his day, and since. Par for the course for nearly all the greats in the straw/fly range.
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IntentionalButt said: ↑

BoxRec don't see it that way, apparently. They have Calderón as low as nineteenth all-time, and 4th to debut since '90. Ahead of him they put Eric Morel of all people (#17 all-time per BR).

That is baffling. Other than one extraordinary scalp - that of Gerry Peñalosa, admittedly leagues better than any single win of Calderón's, except Morel defeated him via robbery SD - he was a very ordinary titlist.
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Then, nary an hour later the official IBHOF class of 2018 was announced, with Calderón omitted conspicuously. I advocated for his inclusion two months ago when the ballot was first made public:

IntentionalButt said: ↑

I believe this is Calderón's first year of eligibility? Anyway, he should go straight in. Between the Finito López and Chocolatito González eras nobody else had as dominant a run in that weight range. Time caught up with him in an ugly way and the KO losses in his twilight are perhaps the lasting impression that many best remember, but his prime he was made of water, couldn't be touched and barely ever lost a round.

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Hell, if you even Google his name you get a slew of images of & hits for his late countryman, the MLB outfielder that played in the 1980's and early 90's, who retired several years before Iron Boy even made his professional debut. Jeez.

Can we please just give this cat his props? He was, for a long time, among the slickest boxers on earth (and maybe #1 in pure slickness among lefties at one point, with apologies to Maravilla). He also has spent his retirement - aside from occasionally having millions of dollars worth of cocaine impounded from a house that he owns during a massive narc raid - coaching youth, giving large sums to charity, and investing on infrastructure in P.R.

Caper · Dec 5, 2017

IntentionalButt said: ↑

First there was this indiscretion which I noticed earlier today while posting in a thread asking where the newly retired Miguel Ángel Cotto (whom Calderón defeated in the amateurs in 1993, incidentally) ranks among greats from Puerto Rico:

Then, nary an hour later the official IBHOF class of 2018 was announced, with Calderón omitted conspicuously. I advocated for his inclusion two months ago when the ballot was first made public:

Hell, if you even Google his name you get a slew of images of & hits for his late countryman, the MLB outfielder that played in the 1980's and early 90's, who retired several years before Iron Boy even made his professional debut. Jeez.

Can we please just give this cat his props? He was, for a long time, among the slickest boxers on earth (and maybe #1 in pure slickness among lefties at one point, with apologies to Maravilla). He also has spent his retirement - aside from occasionally having millions of dollars worth of cocaine impounded from a house that he owns during a massive narc raid - coaching youth, giving large sums to charity, and investing on infrastructure in P.R.
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When given the right platform I never fail to mention his name as one the smoothest boxers I’ve ever seen. His skill set was beyond what the normal human eye can capture and he’s undoubtedly top three slickest dudes I’ve ever seen box. The only other guy that impressed me more from a slickness meter was Swea Pea and you may very well ban me for this but the other guy on my very personal list lost to Demarco years ago and was recently ducked by Garcia.

Jel · Dec 5, 2017

For what it's worth, I put him at no. 5 in my top 10 of greatest Puerto Rican boxers, below only Gomez, Ortiz, Benitez and Trinidad.

Caper · Dec 6, 2017

IntentionalButt said: ↑

First there was this indiscretion which I noticed earlier today while posting in a thread asking where the newly retired Miguel Ángel Cotto (whom Calderón defeated in the amateurs in 1993, incidentally) ranks among greats from Puerto Rico:

Then, nary an hour later the official IBHOF class of 2018 was announced, with Calderón omitted conspicuously. I advocated for his inclusion two months ago when the ballot was first made public:

Hell, if you even Google his name you get a slew of images of & hits for his late countryman, the MLB outfielder that played in the 1980's and early 90's, who retired several years before Iron Boy even made his professional debut. Jeez.

Can we please just give this cat his props? He was, for a long time, among the slickest boxers on earth (and maybe #1 in pure slickness among lefties at one point, with apologies to Maravilla). He also has spent his retirement - aside from occasionally having millions of dollars worth of cocaine impounded from a house that he owns during a massive narc raid - coaching youth, giving large sums to charity, and investing on infrastructure in P.R.
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Like you said no love!

Robney · Dec 6, 2017

Who's Rodney Dangerfield?

Paranoid Android · Dec 6, 2017

Huh?

Calderon's always been well respected.

mandatory · Dec 6, 2017

Awesome fighter.. One problem here in Puerto Rico is that the general public is usually attached to undefeated fighters..Which is extremely stupid IMO (With the exception of Cotto who has a bunch of fans regardless for some reason).. I member at the time before Calderon lost for the first time he was being mentioned a lot and people here liked him a lot then he lost and well.. You know what I mean.. Im talking about in general I know people who really know boxing appreciate the guys talent and know he was one of the best.

McGrain · Dec 6, 2017

A wonderful fighter. I was gutted when Fuentes beat him.

Chuck Norris · Dec 6, 2017

Robney said: ↑

Who's Rodney Dangerfield?
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A person who didn't get any respect.

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Mendoza · Dec 6, 2017

Paranoid Android said: ↑

Huh?

Calderon's always been well respected.
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His power at straw weight never was.

Calderon was a decent champion in a talent thin division where fighters tend to retire young. I think he lacked the " Caddy Shack and Back to School moments " to get more respect.

IntentionalButt · Dec 6, 2017

Paranoid Android said: ↑

Huh?

Calderon's always been well respected.
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Some of us were around following the sport before July 2017, bub.

IntentionalButt · Dec 6, 2017

McGrain said: ↑

A wonderful fighter. I was gutted when Fuentes beat him.
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Same. At least with Segura it was a FOTY candidate and Giovani was regarded a demon (not that Fuentes was chopped liver)

OvidsExile · Dec 6, 2017

His first fight with Segura was one of the best fights I've ever seen. I haven't seen much of him beyond that, but he was slickness personified. Kind of reminds me of Rigondeaux if he'd never fought Donaire. 12 title defenses. Never unified, never fought anybody important.

There was a massive talent gap between him and Segura. As I recall, he beat on Segura like a drum, but it didn't matter. Calderon was a featherfist and Segura was a huge puncher for his weightclass, with good chin and stamina. Calderon hit Segura maybe three to one and put on a masterclass, that ultimately didn't matter. He was too weak and too old. Every now and then Segura would land a clumsy swat and undo all the beautiful work Calderon had made.

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"Iron Boy" Iván Calderón - like Rodney Dangerfield, gets no respect.

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"Iron Boy" Iván Calderón - like Rodney Dangerfield, gets no respect.

IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

Caper How about a fair shake? banned Full Member

Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

Caper How about a fair shake? banned Full Member

Robney ᴻᴼ ᴸᴼᴻᴳᴲᴿ ᴲ۷ᴵᴸ Full Member

Paranoid Android Manny Pacquiao — The Thurmanator banned Full Member

mandatory Nuthugger Crusher Full Member

McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

Chuck Norris Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

OvidsExile At a minimum, a huckleberry over your persimmon. Full Member