Is Ivan Calderon an all time great?

Yes.

13 defenses, went up in weight to beat the MAN at 108, and is consistently dwarfed by much larger opposition. Cazares was 6 inches taller and weighed in almost 25 lbs heavier (about 20% of Calderon's weight) come fight time.

Those who claim he hasnt fought greats- look, no one in the 105, 108 divisions will be called great in this era b/c for one, they get little attention, and two, there are often titlists from places like thailand and japan who see no reason to unify (whether it be that they have much greater popularity at home, or in Japans case- they dont recognize all the other major belts).

 

I don't know the history of the lower weightclasses, but I think he should at least be considered. I also think Calderon made a mistake in starting his professional boxing career so late and also staying on so long.

 

Ivan Caldero is without a doubt one of the greatest pouerto rican boxers ever.

 

An excellent fighter but not a great.

At 105, he was happy to fight ex-titleholders coming off a defeat and fighters on the way down rather than unifying all the titles. Even if he did that, he wouldn't have been up there with Lopez but it would have helped his legacy.

He had a couple of nice wins at 108 and seemed happier to take risks but he definitely didn't accomplish enough to be considered an ATG in that weightclass.

As I said, an excellent fighter who had a good career - nothing more, nothing less.

 

I love how things like this are never actually considered in discussions like this. Simply a fast skim off the "surface", a boxrec record and thats about it.

 

Not an ATG, but an HOFer for sure.

The little guy has 18 sucessfull tittle defenses (most sucessful for a Rican) and was the best 105lb, and 108lb fighter of the decade and one, if not, the best pure boxer of the last decade.

My hat goes off to the little guy. :thumbsup

 

And to the dip**** saying fighters under 147lbs arent real warriors....Watch the Morales-Barrera, and Marquez-Vasquez trilogies, and tell me those arent real warriors you dumb ********.

 

no of course not.

but his technical skills will be remembered wont be surprised if kids will use him as the 'textbook fighter'.

 

He'll have a nice spot just behind Finito in the 105 all time rankings.

Not an ATG, but a great career. Lovely fighter to watch who hopefully is remembered for all he accomplished

 

A good fighter and a good pure boxer, rates up there in the all time listings at 105 because the division is so shallow, but SHOULDNT be considered an atg by any stretch.

 

Not an ATG overall but i'd say he's an ATG at 105 and 108.

 

So what does that say about Ricard Lopez?

 

I understand that hes small on that. But he dominated his divisions and defended his title numerous of times without power and without size. This is one of the most purest boxers on the planet. If this guy was fighting at a much higher weight you would all consider him a all time great.

Calderon fought a hard tough fight against a tough, bigger, more power in his punches in his prime Mexican fighter. Theres no shame in losing a fight like that.

 

He was good little fighter no doubt about it...To go unbeaten for so long, often giving up a lot of size and years to his opposition, is commendable at the very least.

He is going to make the top10 alltime of a wasteland like straweight.

A top10 spot at lightfly is more significant and harder to crack...I reckon he gets somewhere in there for sure but I wouldnt have him top5. Though it must be said he certainly has a better resume for the weight than Lopez did.

As for alltime Rican fighters...Geez there is a lot of talent there to contend with, I dont think I would have him making that list. At best just outside it.

 

I got to say yes. It's hard to say no when he's made all those title defences.