Ismael Laguna - How Do You Rate Him

Over the last month, I've had a gander into Izzy's career, and I was wondering what the general perception of him was. I've seen intelligent people say he relied primarily on his speed, and I've seen other intelligent people say that he was super skilled.

What do you think of his skill-set and style? Is he an ATG? How good was he the night he beat Ortiz? What would happen vs some of the other greatest LWs ever? How good was he below lightweight, during his BW-FW days?

What say you? I'll let a few replies roll in (if any of you feckers care ) before I say what I saw.

 

Such a slick style to watch. His defence was brilliant, and his hands were razor sharp and lightning fast. He could dance around his opponents, using lateral movement and fence them with a slashing, rapier-like jab. That wasn't his go-to though, he liked to go out on offence. Well schooled, he could use a decent high-guard when he had to, but he would rather slip shots or at least turn with them so he could counter. His constant bobbing and strange bending at the waist seemed to really confuse people. He used straight rights and inverted 1-2s tons. In fact, the way he came in with his lead-right like a jab was actually pretty Mayweather/Jones Jr.-esque.

I tend to agree he did get away with a lot coz of his speed and reflexes, but I don't think that's all there was to it. He had a very creative style which few have, or could replicate. Is it fair to say he's one of the quickest lightweights ever? Aside from the Macho Man, Pea, Floyd and maybe Pac, who else'd be on that list?

When it comes to how he'd do vs the other great LWs, I think he comes out of it better than most. Pacquiao represents a real challenge for him stylistically IMO, as he's very similar to Elorde but IMO Pac is superior. I think Manny would have trouble with Laguna's right hand, but would do enough to win whilst working around it. Ike Williams is the best guy I'd pick Izzy to beat. He's got the intangibles, know-how and ability to mantle what gave Ike the most trouble, and I think he'd do a hit and run all-night onroute to a UD. I think he'd give guys like Leonard, Mayweather and Pea massive issues, and potentially beats them if he shows up like he did for Ortiz I.

I had him beating Ken Buchanan, right at the end of his career. And I also had him edging the Saldivar fight. Although both could've gone either way. And he actually has a really deep résumé too. Some of the guys he beat:

• Eloy Sanchez - José Medel type opponent. Beat Medel himself along with Zamora, Baby Luis and troubled Raul Rojas. He also challenged for the title vs Jofre.
• Hector Hicks - Older, but he was only two fights removed from his win over a undefeated Hernandez. Laguna retired him.
• Manhattan Kid Ortiz - split series with Carlos Celis, and beat Hicks once.
• Enrique Hitchman - Laguna beat him twice, destroyed him in the rematch. Coming off back to back wins over Hicks.
• Antonio Herrera - beat Laguna himself, Ramirez, Joe Brown, Juan Escobar, Sebastiao Nascimento and Guarrero.
• Juan Ramirez - beat Fili Nava, Eduardo Guerrero, Toluco Lopez, Felix Gutierrez and Eloy Sanchez. Draws with Ramos and Johnson.
• Auburn Copeland - less than a year prior held Flash Elorde to an MD.
• Eduardo Guerrero - beat Juan Ramirez twice, Jorge Baby Salazar, Eloy Sanchez, Hiroshi Kobayashi and Don Johnson.
• Percy Hayles - beat Frankie Narvaez and Kid Bassey II, was naturally bigger.
• Vicente Derado - beat Rafiu King, Santos Pereyra and Pedro Benelli twice.
• Angel Robinson Garcia - quintessential fringe contender. Best win is a green Stable.
• Don Johnson - beat Juan Ramirez and Mario Diaz twice. Sorta rival contender to Laguna, before TKO3.
• Eugenio Espinoza - beat Elorde, Herrera and Laguna himself.
• Carlos Ortiz - ATG MW champ, on one of the greatest runs the division ever saw.
• Mando Ramos - super talented fighter. Beat Ramos, Cruz, Rojas, Numata, Carrasco twice. Sitting champ.
• Guts Ishimatsu - elite contender, beat Ken Buchanan and Rodolfo Gonzalez twice.

 

Agreed. I watched it last night.

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9 : 10
10 : 9
9 : 10
9 : 10
10 : 9 (47/48)
10 : 9*
9 : 10
10 : 9*
9 : 10
9 : 10* (

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Great, great fight! I thought Saldivar clearly had the higher workrate, which got the better of some swing rounds, but Laguna's insane reflexes meant he slipped, or partially slipped a lot of them. He also definitely landed the cleaner punches IMO. Saldivar threw tons, but a lot either missed or landed on glove. Whereas Laguna's reach and speed advantages proved troublesome early, both adapted. Saldivar switched from a counter-puncher who'd swarm, to a swarmer who'd counter-punch. Laguna learned which angles were best to move out from after he darted in.

By no means a robbery, this was super close and an amazing fight. I thought Laguna nicked it, though.

 

First. I thought both had won six rounds a piece, then there's was three super-tight, swing rounds. Apparently I'd given two of them to Laguna.

 

Sal, the Saldivar fight is awesome. It's one of them ones where two super skilled guys prefer to show their ability off in a fight rather than a chess-match, if you get what I'm saying.

 

I guess it's just how my brain works but I found that really funny. I immediately got an image of Sanchez himself painting a staircase.

I think you'd enjoy it, I certainly did.