Happy 80th Birthday to Ismael Laguna!

[elmersalsa]

Today is two-time Lightweight World Champion Ismael Laguna's birthday. Born in a day like today on June 28, 1943 in Colon, Panama.

The Colon City Tiger, became Panama's second world boxing champion in the country's history when he took the crown from hall of famer and all-time pound per pound great Carlos Ortiz of Puerto Rico on April 25, 1965 in Panama City, Panama.

Laguna won by majority decision.

Then, in March 1970, he clobbered champion Mando Ramos of Los Angeles, CA in a beautiful display of boxing skill by a 9th round technical knockout.

Laguna, a top 20 all-time great lightweight, is still on great health. Among other top guys that Laguna beat were Carlos "Morocho" Hernandez, Guts Ishimatsu, Chango Carmona, Alfredo Urbina, Eloy Sanchez, Antonio Herrera, Angel Robinson Garcia, Percy Hayles and Rafiu King.

Is Laguna the oldest living hall of Fame boxer and champion right now?

[goose 5]

Great fighter. How is his health ?

[scorpio83]

Happy Birthday Champ!

[elmersalsa]

Great fighter. How is his health ?

He is still looking great. He has always been in great shape ever since he's been retired in 1971.

[elmersalsa]

Do you know that Ismael Laguna and the late Ken Buchanan were born in the same day, but different years apart. Both were born in June 28. Laguna in 1943. Buchanan in 1945.

[elmersalsa]

Is Ismael Laguna the oldest living hall of Fame boxer and former boxing world champion right now?

[giacomino]

Is Ismael Laguna the oldest living hall of Fame boxer and former boxing world champion right now?

Benvenuti is 85. FIghting Harada is 80 and a couple of months older than Laguna

[elmersalsa]

Is Ismael Laguna the oldest living hall of Fame boxer and former boxing world champion right now?

Benvenuti is 85. FIghting Harada is 80 and a couple of months older than Laguna

It got to be Nino Benvenutti, then. He is 85. I don't think that there's someone older that is a world champion and hall of famer.

[giacomino]

Is Ismael Laguna the oldest living hall of Fame boxer and former boxing world champion right now?

Benvenuti is 85. FIghting Harada is 80 and a couple of months older than Laguna

It got to be Nino Benvenutti, then. He is 85. I don't think that there's someone older that is a world champion and hall of famer.

Probably not. And Nino looked good the last time I saw him,

[chrisjs1985]

Great fighter. How is his health ?

I was told by Roberto Duran in April that Laguna's health is bad. I was in contact with someone close to Laguna to get copies of a book written about him signed and he can't even sign his name. He's been in a bad way for a while.

[goose 5]

Sorry to hear this. Are you Duran's biographer ? If so, your book was fabulous. Are Duran's bouts against Lloyd Marshall and Angel Robinson Garcia on film ? If so, have you seen them ?,