Ismael Laguna, the two-time lightweight world champion who helped pave the way for Panama’s boxing boom, died on September 8 at the age of 83. No cause of death has been reported.
Known as the “Tiger of Colón,” Laguna compiled a 65-9-1 record with 37 knockouts during a professional career that spanned from 1960 to 1971. He was never stopped in 75 professional fights.
Laguna first won the lightweight world championship in April 1965, defeating Carlos Ortiz over 15 rounds in Panama City. The bout was the first world title fight held in Panama City and made Laguna the first Panamanian boxer to win a WBC world championship.
He later regained the lightweight championship in 1970 with a ninth-round stoppage of Mando Ramos, becoming a two-time world champion.
Roberto Durán, who grew up watching Laguna fight, credited him with showing that a Panamanian boxer could reach the top of the sport.
“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,” Durán said.
Laguna was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.