IVAN CALDERON TO MAKE GARDEN DEBUT IN WORLD TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST TOP-RATED RODEL MAYOL ON COTTO vs. CLOTTEY UNDERCARD!
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico (April 25, 2009) — Undefeated two-time world champion IVAN “Iron Boy” CALDERON of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico will make his Madison Square Garden debut on Saturday, June 13, headlining the undercard of the big world championship welterweight clash between Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey.
Calderon (32-0, 6 KOs), making the fourth defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior flyweight belt, will be facing steel-fisted No. 4 contender RODEL MAYOL (25-3, 19 KOs), from Manadue City, Cebu, Philippines.
“It has always been my dream to fight at Madison Square Garden in New York and to do it the night before the National Puerto Rican Parade, makes it even more exciting for me. It will be a night to remember,” said Calderon, who is also a former WBO minimum weight world champion.
The popular “Little Giant” from Guaynabo, fought in Queens, New York in his third professional fight, but has not been back to the “Big Apple” since 2001. One of the most popular boxers in Puerto Rico, Calderon is 15-0 in world championship fights.
“We know how much Ivan wanted to fight at The Garden and we are very happy to be able to provide this opportunity to one of the best pure boxers in the world today,” said Todd duBoef, President of Top Rank Inc.
Mayol, a two-time world title challenger, has vowed to make the most of his third opportunity at the brass ring, which also marks his U.S. debut..
Remaining tickets to Cotto vs. Clottey, priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, can be purchased at the Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.thegarden.com
Promoted by Top Rank, the Cotto vs. Clottey World Welterweight Championship will take place Saturday, June 13 at Madison Square Garden. The fight will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:35 p.m. ET/ 7:35 p.m. PT. This marks the fourth time in the past five years Cotto will headline a show at The Garden on the eve of New York’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade.