Ismael Laguna, Panamanian boxing legend and idol of Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán

The Panamanian boxer is in mourning. Ismael Laguna, one of the great referents of this sport in Panama and known as the “Tigre of Colón”, died on September 8 at the age of 83, although the cause of his death has not yet been revealed.

Born on 28 June 1943 in the province of Colón, Laguna was one of the figures that paved the way for the generation headed later by Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán, who always recognized the world champion as one of his great idols.

Laguna built a prominent professional career in the 1960s and early 1970s, a period in which he conquered the world title in lightweight twice.

Our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and the people of Panama. Rest in peace, champion. ????

The first major chapter of Laguna's race came on April 10, 1965, when he defeated Puerto Rican Carlos Ortiz by majority decision.

With that victory, the Panamanian conquered the world lightweight championship and became the second Panama world champion, after Alfonso “Panama” Al Brown.

Ortiz later recovered the belt in the revenge, but Laguna would have a new chance to reach the top.

On March 3, 1970, the “Tigre de Colón” again proclaimed world champion. This time defeated by technical nocaut the American Mando Ramos in Los Angeles, recovering the crown of the lightweight division.

One of the most important chapters of Ismael Laguna's career was his rivalry with Scottish Ken Buchanan.

Laguna lost the championship to Buchanan and later returned to face it in search of recovering the title. The revenge took place at New York’s Madison Square Garden on September 13, 1971.

That fight represented the last episode of his professional career, after a trajectory in which he highlighted his speed, mobility and precision over the squad.

Laguna finished with a record of 65 victories, 37 of them by nocaut, nine defeats and one draw.

Beyond his titles, Laguna’s legacy is also linked directly to Roberto Durán, considered one of the best boxers in Panama history.

“Hands of Stone” recognized on different occasions the influence that Laguna had during his early years and pointed to him as one of his great references within boxing.

The connection between the two was also immortalized with his entry to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, located in Canastota, New York.

Laguna was described by the specialized press as “a púgil of great rapidity, precision and mobility over the squad,” characteristics that helped to turn him into one of the most respected figures of Panamanian pugilism.

The figure of Ismael Laguna remained linked to Panamanian boxing even after his retirement.

In 2025, when he was 82 years old, he received at his home a tribute from coaches and boxers from his country, who came to recognize the trajectory of one of the great champions emerged from Panama.