Ismael Laguna, the before and after of Panamanian boxing

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Ismael Laguna, the before and after of Panamanian boxing

Thu, 07/05/2018 - 16:07

Boxing in Panama has its origin in Panama Al Brown and in Roberto "Mano de Piedra" Durán its apotheosis, but Ismael Laguna is the hinge between the old and the new guard of boxing.

Born on June 28, 1943, the Tiger of Colón, as he was also known because of his combative spirit and the ease to cut his rivals with his fists, was forged in the streets, in fights in which he had to assert his rights but was polished in the gym with the intervention of Chino Mon, who saw him in an exhibition against a veteran boxer.

His career was meteoric, with a knockout in the second round in his debut facing Al Morgan on January 8, 1961. He accumulated 38 victories and only two losses until he had the opportunity to go for the lightweight world title against Puerto Rican Carlos Ortiz.

The evening of April 10, 1965 at the National Stadium Juan Demóstenes Arosemena was historic for Panama, as Laguna beat Ortiz by split decision to break a 36-year drought without a world champion.

However, his reign was short, because after beating Raul Soriano and drawing with Nicolino Locche, he would end up losing the title by unanimous decision in the rematch against Carlos Ortiz on November 13, 1965 at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In 1967 he lost again to Ortiz, a connoisseur of the Tiger’s style, which forced him to seek a contending chance against the WBA and WBC lightweight champion, Armando Mando Ramos, whom he defeated by way of knockout in nine rounds on March 3, 1970 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Again, his reign was short lived, as he successfully defended against Guts Ishimatsu, whom he sent to the canvas in 13 rounds, to subsequently lose the title to the Scottish hands of Ken Buchanan by split decision.

On September 13, 1971, he attempted a rematch against Buchanan in the United States, and after losing again by split decision, he decided to hang up his gloves.

His feat was recognized in Panama and in the world of boxing, which earned him a position in the boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles, California, and Canastota, New York.

 

http://www.panamatoday.com/sports/ismael-laguna-and-after-panamanian-boxing-7251