Two-time undisputed world champion and boxing corridor of famer dies at 83
A two-time undisputed world champion boxer and an inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame has died at the age of 83
Ismael Laguna has died aged 83(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Two-time undisputed world champion boxer Ismael Laguna has died at the age of 83.
Laguna’s passing was announced on Wednesday after the boxing hall of famer battled an undisclosed illness. The two-time lightweight world champion had been in hospital as he battled health issues.
The Panama fighter, nicknamed ‘El Tigre Colonense’, was the World Lightweight champion in 1965 and later regained the belt in 1970. He was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.
Ismael Laguna was a two-time world champion
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Laguna’s death was announced by his countryman Roberto Duran and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. Duran wrote in an Instagram post: “It has deeply pained me to learn of the passing of my champion, the great Ismael Laguna, ‘El Tigre de Santa Isabel,’ idol and legend of Panamanian and world boxing, a figure who left an indelible mark on my life.
“Since I was a kid, champion Laguna has always been my idol and my inspiration. I wanted to be a world champion like him. He made me believe that a Panamanian could reach the very top and earn respect anywhere in the world.”
Sulaiman said: “I deeply regret the passing of our former champion Ismael Laguna, the WBC’s first Panamanian champion crowned in 1965 in the lightweight division. Rest in peace.”
Laguna won his first 27 fights before tasting defeat for the first time against Antonio Herrera on a decision. But he enacted revenge months later with a sixth-round stoppage.
In 1964, he fell short against future Hall of Famer Vincente Saldivar over 10 rounds in Tijuana, Mexico.
But he bounced back a year later to claim The Ring and unified WBA/WBC lightweight titles in a 15-round majority decision against Carlos Ortiz.
Laguna later reclaimed the belts with a nine-round stoppage over Mando Ramos in 1970. He retired the following year after defeat against Scot Ken Buchanan in his bid to become a three-time world champion.
