Segura stops Calderon
Mexico's Giovanni Segura knocked out hometown favourite Ivan Calderon in a world light flyweight unification title bout at the Coliseo Quijote Morales in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico on Saturday. Segura, the World Boxing Association champion, unleashed a hard hook to Calderon's body, sending the World Boxing Organisation king to the canvass in the eighth round. The erstwhile unbeaten Calderon failed to beat referee Jose Rivera's ten-count as the bout came to a halt with one minute and 34 seconds remaining in the round. The victory allowed the 28-year-old Segura to add the WBO belt to his collection.
The two fighters slugged it out right from the opening bell with the shorter Calderon dictating the tempo early on. The Puerto Rican pug known as "The Iron Boy," nailed Segura with rights and left hooks and rocked his opponent with 30 seconds remaining. Segura came out more aggressive in the second round and focused on Calderon's body. The Puerto Rican, however, was able to ward off the Mexican's shots to his belly. Segura again showed his aggressiveness in the third, hitting Calderon with a right before the Puerto Rican countered with his own punch at the half-way mark. The slick Calderon used his speed and gloves to evade Segura's punches. Segura landed a solid right in the fourth round and went into an assault shortly after but Calderon remained elusive, landing counters and blocking several shots, leaving the Mexican frustrated.
Segura's determination finally paid off in the fifth when he started hitting the WBO titleholder with rights and solid body shots. Forced to backtrack most of the time, Calderon fell to the floor near the corner but the referee ruled it a slip. The Puerto Rican remained on his feet to survive the round. Calderon complained that he was hit by a thumb but nevertheless got up to fight in the sixth. Segura remained aggressive but Calderon nailed a left counter, stunning the Mexican. The two men opted to fight at a close distance for the remainder of the round. Fatigue started to take its toll on the two fighters in the seventh round as both men slowed their pace. The situation favoured the quicker Calderon, who landed several punches. It was, however, the Puerto Rican's last hurrah as Segura seized the advantage in the eighth round. Clearly exhausted, the 35-year-old Calderon stayed near the ropes early in the round as Segura went downstairs. Calderon countered with several punches but the hard-hitting Segura remained unfazed. The end of the bout finally came moments later when the Mexican landed a right on Calderon's belly, sending the Puerto Rican on his knees.
It was a fitting victory for Segura, who was accompanied to the ring by legendary Mexican fighters Fernando Montiel and Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez. Segura improved his record to 25 wins, one loss and one draw with 21 knockouts. Calderon dropped to 34-1-1 with six KOs. Segura’s win over Calderon could possibly line him up to another unification bout with fellow Mexican Omar Nino, the World Boxing Council champion.
In the night's other bouts, undefeated lightweight prospect Jose Gonzalez stopped Hector Marengo in six rounds while 2008 Olympian and 2009 world amateur flyweight champion McWilliams Arroyo posted a six-round unanimous decision win over Jiovanne Fuentes. Arroyo's twin brother, McJoe, also won via unanimous decision over Sigredo Medina in their six-round bantamweight duel earlier in the night.
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