PANAMA CITY -- Ismael Laguna, one of the greatest idols in Panamanian boxing history who ushered in a golden age for the sport in the Central American country during the 1970s, died Tuesday, the Panamanian Sports Institute reported. He was 83.
"Panamanian boxing is in mourning," the sports organization stated in a social media post. A cause of death was not immediately reported, although Laguna had been hospitalized in recent days.
Laguna, one of the five Panamanian boxers immortalized in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, reached the pinnacle by snatching the world lightweight title from Puerto Rican Carlos Ortiz on April 10, 1965, although he quickly relinquished the title in the rematch.
He regained the lightweight belt in 1970, a decade in which Panama added a dozen world championships, including Roberto Durán's -- also at lightweight in 1972 -- and Eusebio Pedroza's in the featherweight division in 1978.
Laguna, a native of Colón, began his career as an amateur, fighting six bouts before turning professional in the early 1960s, quickly racking up 27 consecutive victories to start his career, which helped him climb the world rankings in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, respectively. However, he was unable to secure a title fight against the reigning champions at the time, Brazilian Eder Jofre (bantamweight) and Cuban Ultiminio Ramos (featherweight).
His opportunity finally arrived in the lightweight division against Ortiz, whom he dethroned with a 15-round points victory in a fight held on Panamanian soil. He lost the crown in the rematch seven months later, but five years later he regained the lightweight belt with a ninth-round knockout of Mando Ramos.
Nicknamed the "Tiger of Colón" for his tenacious style and willingness to take on all comers, Laguna finished with a professional record of 65 wins, 37 of which came via knockout, nine losses, and one draw. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.