On a bad day for the favorites in San Juan, Panama’s future hall of fame warrior Ismael Laguna lost the 1^st of his world titles in this rematch with his arch rival over the years, Puerto Rico’s hero and the man he’d beaten by a controversial mixed decision at home in Panama City for the world lightweight honors, Carlos Ortiz.  After all the fists were thrown and bells rung, referee Rocky Marciano raised up the Puerto Rican’s arm in the old sign, and Ortiz once more held the crown he would successfully defend 5 more times.  Among them, Laguna’s claim to another fight was granted before the huge crowds of Shea Stadium in August of ’67, where Ortiz would prove the better once again.
  Former world champion “Old Bones” Joe Brown, over whom Ortiz had won the inaugural world WBA title in April of 1962, also found his challenger, the much younger Frankie Narvaez, favored on the final scorecards after 10.  Narvaez, a Puerto Rican with most of his experience gained in New York’s fierce scene, had taken 2 out of 3 10-frame affairs from Johnny Bizzarro up north before this welcome win back home.