Ismael Laguna, the quiet Panamanian and two-time Undisputed World lightweight champion in the 1960s, has died at 83.

Laguna was born in Colón, Panama, in 1943, and quickly rose to prominence in his Country, winning his first 34 of 35 bouts.  In 1964, he dropped a decision to Vincent Salivar, who would win the World Featherweight Championship in his next bout.  A string of victories would land him a shot at Carlos Ortiz’ lightweight title in 1965 – copping a 15-round unanimous decision and the undisputed lightweight crown. His next two bouts were non-title affairs, one of which resulted in a Draw with fellow HOFer Niccolino Locche.  A rematch with Ortiz was signed, and Laguna lost his title by way of unanimous decision in Puerto Rico.

Laguna then pounded on contention again, and despite a loss to Flash Elorde, Laguna again earned a title shot at Ortiz as the Main Event at Shea Stadium in New York in 1967. Again Laguna lost a UD, but his willingness to compete for the title never waned. 

A little political luck intervened, as Ortiz was defeated by Teo Cruz, and Cruz was defeated by Mando Ramos in 1969. In 1970, Ramos put his title on the line against Laguna, and was defeated by TKO in nine rounds. Laguna was once again Champion!

After a successful defense against tough Guts Ishimatsu, politics played a part again, with the WBC stripping Laguna for not fighting his mandatory(Pablo Carrasco) and Laguna then faced Ken Buchanan in Sept of 1970 and lost via a split decision. A rematch occured in Sept 1971, at Madison Square Garden, but this time it was unanimous, the title would remain in the Scot’s hands.