{"id":889764,"date":"2026-09-09T22:58:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T22:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/889764\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T22:58:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T22:58:10","slug":"hall-of-fame-boxer-dies-at-83","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/889764\/","title":{"rendered":"Hall of Fame Boxer Dies at 83"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ismael Laguna, one of five Panamanian boxers inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, died<\/a> Tuesday, TMZ reported<\/a>. He was 83.<\/p>\n

“Panamanian boxing is in mourning,” the sports organization stated in a social media post. The cause of death was not immediately reported, although Laguna had been hospitalized in recent days.<\/p>\n

Affectionately known as “The Tiger of Col\u00f3n,” Laguna turned professional in 1960. Two years into his pro career, Laguna won the Panamanian featherweight title.<\/p>\n

The Col\u00f3n native enjoyed similar success when he moved up to the lightweight class. On April 10, 1965, Laguna earned his first world lightweight championship by defeating Carlos Ortiz in a 15-round bout.<\/p>\n

He lost the title seven months later in a rematch, but regained the lightweight belt with a ninth-round knockout of Mando Ramos in 1970.<\/p>\n

Tributes for the former standout Panamanian boxer<\/a> have begun pouring in from former boxers and fans.<\/p>\n

“It has deeply pained me to learn of the passing of my champion, the great Ismael Laguna, ‘El Tigre de Santa Isabel,’ idol and legend of Panamanian and world boxing, a figure who left an indelible mark on my life,” former Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran said. “Since I was a kid, champion Laguna has always been my idol and my inspiration. I wanted to be a world champion like him. He made me believe that a Panamanian could reach the very top and earn respect anywhere in the world.”<\/p>\n

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman also expressed his condolences.<\/p>\n

“I deeply regret the passing of our former champion Ismael Laguna, the WBC’s first Panamanian champion<\/a> crowned in 1965 in the lightweight division. Rest in peace.”<\/p>\n

Laguna finished his career with a record of 65 wins, nine losses, and one draw. He secured 37 victories via knockout<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“The WBO mourns the passing of Ismael Laguna, a Panamanian boxing legend,” the <\/a><\/p>\n

Laguna was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. He is also in the World Boxing Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n