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ISMAEL
LAGUNA IN THE HALL OF FAME
Its 5:00 a.m. and a kid runs barefoot desperate in the streets of Colon, in Panama, not afraid of the dark, thinking about helping his mom and become champion of the world. Laguna,
doesn’t have anymore time to play around being 10 years old, already has
become a business person; making $1.25 per week at the local butchery in Colon,
its not enough, but it’s compensated by profits made by the sale of leftovers
for the remaining cuts of cattle such as legs, tails and lard, so that he could
take at least $50.00 dollars home. Nicknamed
“Cuerito” meaning “Small piece of skin”, due to his afternoon duties of
skinning and cleaning the cattle skins left after being butchered. The nickname
was forgotten throughout the shadows of time and very few remember it; but for
Laguna is unforgettable. Not
being enough, he was given a different nickname which was carried out,
throughout his glory days being called “El Tigre de Santa Isabel” Laguna
is the third Panamanian boxer being honored with this highly distinction, which
is only reserved for a few mortals
that have exposed luster and glory
the sport of boxing worldwide. The first Panamanian introduced was Alfonso
“Panama Al” Brown, and secondly Eusebio Pedroza. Laguna
was firstly crowned champion of the world in the lightweight division in 1965
and then 1970. The first Panamanian to be crowned in his native country and did
it against Carlos Ortiz on April 10th,
1965, winning the WBA lightweight title. Later defended his lightweight crown in
two occasions against Raul Soriano and later Nicolino Loche. On
November 13th, 1965 lost his lightweight title in a rematch with
Carlos Ortiz. Five years later again conquered the title against the Mexican
Armando Ramos. Some
of his attributes contributed to his inclusion in this prestige group were:
proved quickness, respectable punch, excellent footwork in the ring and the
finesse making the weight in the division. Laguna,
now recognizes all of his sacrifices thought out his life when he passes through
the mortal doors of universal recognition as being one of the greatest in boxing
history. CONGRATULATIONS TO ISMAEL
“EL TIGRE DE SANTA ISABEL” LAGUNA... Edited
by: Jose Oliver Gomez |