On This Day in Boxing History… March 3rd
1970: Ismael Laguna Reclaims Glory in Los Angeles
Ismael Laguna vs. Armando “Mando” Ramos At the legendary Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, Panama’s Ismael Laguna, known as “The Tiger of Santa Isabel,” delivered a masterclass in technical boxing and speed against the young champion Mando Ramos. With an elegant style and impeccable defense, Laguna systematically broke down the American until the fight was halted in the ninth round. With this triumph, Laguna reclaimed the WBC World Lightweight crown, cementing his status as one of the greatest idols in Panamanian boxing history.
2007: The Beginning of a Legendary War
Rafael Márquez vs. Israel Vázquez I In Carson, California, we witnessed the first chapter of one of the bloodiest and most memorable tetralogies in boxing history. Rafael Márquez moved up in weight to challenge the WBC Super Bantamweight champion, Israel “Magnífico” Vázquez. It was a bout of staggering intensity where both men landed with absolute power. In the seventh round, suffering from a broken nose that prevented him from breathing, Vázquez could not continue, crowning Márquez as the new monarch. This fight marked the start of a rivalry that personified the pride and courage of the Mexican warrior.
2016: Menayothin Extends His Undefeated Reign
Wanheng Menayothin vs. Go Odaira In Chonburi, Thailand, the then-WBC Minimumweight king, Wanheng Menayothin (also known as Chayaphon Moonsri), made a forceful defense against Japanese challenger Go Odaira. Menayothin, whose discipline and precision eventually led him to surpass Floyd Mayweather’s unbeaten record at the time, knocked out Odaira in the fifth round. With this victory, the Thai champion reaffirmed his absolute dominance in boxing’s smallest divisions before his home crowd.
2018: The Devastating Power of the “Bronze Bomber”
Deontay Wilder vs. Luis “King Kong” Ortiz I One of the most dramatic heavyweight duels in recent history took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Deontay Wilder put his Green and Gold title on the line against the dangerous Cuban, Luis Ortiz. The fight stood on the brink of disaster for Wilder in the seventh round when Ortiz had him severely hurt; however, the American showed a champion’s heart and survived to mount a comeback. In the tenth round, a brutal right hand followed by a right uppercut finished the Cuban, sealing one of the most spectacular defenses of Wilder’s career.
