Ismael Laguna, the two time lightweight world champion whose career helped fuel a boxing boom in Panama, has died at 83.
The former champion died September 8 after being hospitalized for several days in Panama. TMZ reported that a specific cause of death had not been disclosed, while Panamanian media reported that his family had not publicly identified the illness that led to his hospitalization.
Known as the “Tiger of Colón,” Laguna fought professionally from 1960 through 1971 and retired with 65 victories, nine losses and one draw, including 37 wins by knockout. Despite facing some of the best lightweights of his era across 75 professional fights, he was never stopped.
His influence extended into the generation that followed him. Roberto Durán, who watched Laguna as a child before becoming one of boxing’s greatest champions, said after his death that Laguna made him believe a Panamanian fighter could reach the top of the sport and command respect anywhere in the world.
Laguna Became World Champion at 21
Laguna’s first world championship came April 10, 1965, when he faced Puerto Rican great Carlos Ortiz at Juan Demóstenes Arosemena Stadium in Panama City. Laguna was only 21 when he went the full 15 rounds and earned a decision over Ortiz to claim the world lightweight championship.
The World Boxing Council said the bout was the first world title fight held in Panama City and made Laguna the first Panamanian boxer to capture a WBC world championship. He also held WBA recognition and The Ring lightweight championship during his first reign.
Laguna was not Panama’s first world boxing champion overall. Panama Al Brown had reached that distinction decades earlier. Laguna became the country’s first world champion since Brown’s reign ended in the 1930s, bringing a world title back to Panama at a time when the sport was developing a new generation of fighters.
Ortiz regained the championship from Laguna by decision in Puerto Rico in November 1965. They met for a third time in 1967, with Ortiz again winning a 15 round decision. Laguna’s career in that period also included bouts with Nicolino Locche and Flash Elorde.
He Fought His Way Back to the Championship in 1970
Nearly five years after losing the title, Laguna returned to the top of the lightweight division. He challenged Mando Ramos at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on March 3, 1970 and regained the world championship when Ramos could not continue after the ninth round because of cuts around both eyes.
Laguna returned home three months later for his first defense, stopping Japan’s Guts Ishimatsu in the 13th round in Panama City. Ishimatsu would later become a world lightweight champion himself.
Laguna’s second reign ended amid a complicated split between boxing’s sanctioning organizations. The WBC stripped him of its title in September 1970 over a dispute concerning his next defense. Eleven days later, Ken Buchanan defeated Laguna by split decision over 15 rounds in San Juan, Puerto Rico, taking his remaining WBA world lightweight championship.
Buchanan and Laguna met again at Madison Square Garden on September 13, 1971. Buchanan won a unanimous 15 round decision, and Laguna never fought professionally again. He retired at 28 with a 65-9-1 record and 37 knockouts.
The WBC said Laguna was never knocked out or cut during his professional career. His opposition included Ortiz, Buchanan, Locche, Elorde, Ramos and Ishimatsu, several of whom held world championships themselves.
Roberto Durán Says Laguna Made Him Believe
Laguna’s influence on Panamanian boxing was reflected in Roberto Durán’s tribute after his death. Durán said he had watched Laguna fight since childhood and described him as both his idol and the fighter who convinced him that his own championship ambitions were possible.
“Since I was a kid, champion Laguna has always been my idol and my inspiration,” Durán said in a tribute reported by TVN Panamá. “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.”
Durán said he later had the opportunity to know Laguna personally and tell him what his example had meant. He thanked the older champion for “opening the way” for the boy from Panama City’s El Chorrillo neighborhood who dreamed of becoming a world champion.
Their careers also became linked through Buchanan. Laguna lost twice to the Scottish champion, including in his final professional fight. Durán then challenged Buchanan at Madison Square Garden on June 26, 1972 and stopped him in the 13th round to win his first world lightweight championship.
Laguna Entered the Hall of Fame in 2001
Born Ismael Laguna Meneses on June 28, 1943, near Colón, Panama, Laguna developed a reputation for speed, movement and technical boxing rather than relying exclusively on power. Carlos Ortiz later remembered him as an intelligent, naturally gifted fighter, while Buchanan described Laguna as one of the most difficult opponents of his career.
Laguna’s accomplishments were recognized long after his retirement. He entered the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, as part of its 2001 class.
Tributes followed his death throughout Panama. The country’s sports community remembered both his championships and the generation of fighters that watched him establish himself internationally before pursuing titles of their own.
Durán’s tribute returned to the example Laguna had provided decades earlier. “Thanks, champion, for opening the way and inspiring that kid from Chorrillo who dreamed of becoming world champion,” he wrote. “For me, you will always be my idol and my hero.”
