Ismael Laguna The Great Panamanian Lightweight An 11-year career, that included a 65-9-1 (37 KO's) record. Turned professional in August 1960, at the tender age of 17. First won the World Lightweight Title on April 19, 1965 - by (W Maj. Dec 15) over Carlos Ortiz Then lost it back to Carlos Ortiz on November 13, 1965 - by (L Unan. Dec 15). Challenged Champion Carlos Ortiz again on August 16, 1967 - but lost by (L Unan. Dec 15) Regained the World (WBA/WBC) Lightweight Title on March 3, 1970 - by (TKO 9) over Mando Ramos. Only had '1' successful Title Defense on June 6, 1970 - by (TKO 13) over Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki. Lost the Title by 'Split-Decision' to 'Scot' Ken Buchanan on September 26, 1970. Challenged WBA Champion Ken Buchanan again on September 13, 1971 - but lost by (L Unan Dec 15). Retired in September 1971, still at a relatively young 28, and still ranked as the #2 Lightweight. Of the '10' blemishes on his record, '8' of them were to World Champions. He was never stopped, as a professional. Was still voted as "Panama's Favorite Boxer" thru the mid-1970's. A 5' 9" smooth-skilled boxer, with marvelous technical skills. [url] This content is protected [/url]
No doubt about this is one of the forgotten lightweight greats, as far as his skills go. From all I've heard the split decision loss to Buchanan was a decisive win for Ken, not that that's any shame for Laguna.
Ismael Laguna As the World Lightweight Champion, Fought a 10-Round Draw with Argentinian Great, (#1 Rated Lightweight) Nicolino Locche in July 1965 in Argentina, in a 10-Round 'non-title' fight, though both fighters were at the 135 lb. Lightweight limit. Ismael later said that he wished he had fought Nicolino in September 1970, for the WBA Light-Welterweight Championship, instead of going to New York to fight Ken Buchanan.
Was this fight considered a legit draw? Or in the general opinion did one have the better of the other?
Great LW but also had an interesting career at featherweight, rated as the number 1 at the weight by The Ring.... recently McGrain posted a HL of his fight with Saldivar. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd5c2-rY5WM[/ame]
Still an 'odd' fight. Ismael Laguna (Panama) was the World Lightweight Champion, and he travels to Argentina As Nicolino was the #1 Lightweight, and former Champion Carlos Ortiz was dropped to #2. It should have been a 15-Round World Lightweight Championship, but I believe Carlos Ortiz had one of those 'rematch clauses', preventing anyone else from fighting for the World Lightweight Championship before him. As far as the Laguna vs. Locche bout in Argentina, the newspaper archives said it was a 'stalemate like in Chess', where each figher neutralized each other. Neither fighter was willing to put themselves in danger, and the bout was a 'dull' defensive stall.
