Ismael Laguna

Who is Ismael Laguna?

Ismael Laguna Meneses was a professional boxer.He was one of 8 children. His grand-niece Kezia Grace West is Miss New York Panama 2013. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.

Known as "El Tigre Colonense", Laguna was the Panamanian Featherweight Champion from 1962-63. He later was the World Lightweight Champion in 1965 and later regained the belt in 1970, but he was stripped of his WBC title prior to losing the WBA Title to Ken Buchanan.

Laguna also lost 15 round decisions in two other bids to regain his lightweight title, in 1967 against Carlos Ortiz, and in 1971 to Ken Buchanan. He retired after the loss to Buchanan in 1971.