Calderon was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024 along such other notables as Michael Moorer, Diego Corrales, Ana Maria Torres, Ricky Hatton and Nick Charles.

[2] Iván Calderón was born in the municipality of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and currently resides in a sector called "Las Americas" in Bayamón.

[6] Calderón expressed that he is "too much of a house man" and claims that as a result of a rule established by his former wife any kind of non-familiar activity is prohibited on Sundays.

[8] He is employed by the City of Guaynabo's Department of Sports and Recreation and has been involved in several youth-oriented charities in his native Puerto Rico, including lecturing in island schools and co-sponsoring a massive gift-giving effort in the town of Loíza's Three Kings festival in early 2006.

Drug Enforcement Administration spokeswoman Laila Rico said 225 kilograms (nearly 500 pounds) of cocaine were found when agents raided the house in the coastal town of Humacao.

[10] In 1993, Calderón defeated Miguel Cotto in the light flyweight division, when both boxers were in the early stages of amateur experience.

In addition, Calderon competed as an international amateur in several tournaments, including the following: After turning professional, Calderón was frequently showcased on ESPN's Friday Night Fights show.

On March 20, 2004, he retained the championship with an eleventh-round knockout win over former International Boxing Federation world champion Edgar Cardenas, in Guaynabo.

[14] On July 31, 2004, as part of the Morales-Hernandez undercard in Las Vegas, he retained his title once again, with a twelve-round decision win over former world champion Roberto Leyva.

[16] On September 25, he retained his title for the seventh time, with a twelve-round unanimous decision over Mexico's Gerardo Verde, at Atlantic City, New Jersey.

[18] Calderón began 2006 by defending his title successfully on February 18, with a twelve-round unanimous decision over Isaac Bustos in Las Vegas.

[21] Following this fight the World Boxing Organization recognized him as a WBO Super Champion for reaching ten successful title defenses.

In response, Calderón expressed that he participated in "three or four rounds" of sparring, during which he "gave him problems" and "made him uncomfortable", while De La Hoya "tried to hit" but seemed "out of timing".

[28] Calderón entered the ring accompanied by a display of fireworks, before a crowd that featured several media personalities, including Oscar De La Hoya.

[29] Early in the fight Calderón's tactic consisted of connecting fast consecutive combinations while avoiding Cázares' punches.

In the third round Cázares displayed a more fluid offensive, but in the fifth he presented a strategy that consisted of only throwing power punches which seemed to benefit Calderón.

Calderón was successful on his first light flyweight title defense when he defeated Juan Esquer in a card that took place on December 1, 2007, in New Mexico.

[32] From the fifth round onwards Calderón proceeded to exchange combinations of punches with Esquer, eventually gaining control of the fight's tempo.

[34] Calderón's second defense in the light flyweight division took place on April 4, 2008, where he defeated Nelson Dieppa by unanimous decision.

Calderón entered the ring dressed as a matador in reference to his boxing style, which provoked "Olé" chants from the public.

[38] Due to the nature of this injury, the Puerto Rico Boxing Commission prohibited Calderón participation in any card within 120 days.

Rivera noted that the fight would be against one of the other light flyweight champions, most likely César Canchila, citing that although both Ulises Solís and Edgar Sosa were approached, with both claiming to be available, neither one actually pursued serious negotiations.

[40] He subsequently stated that negotiations had been extended to Solís' representatives, but that those of Sosa still declined, citing that "[He] is a fighter that has always refused to fight with Iván.

[43] Calderón's corner tried to stop the bleeding, but the referee suspended the contest during the sixth round after these attempts proven unsuccessful.