CANASTOTA, New York (Ticker) -- Former lightweight champion Ismael Laguna, former featherweight champion Ultiminio Ramos and cartoonist Bill Gallo were among seven living honorees elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

Joining Laguna, Ramos and Gallo were former European middleweight champion and Olympic gold medalist Laszlo Papp, trainer George Benton, promoter Don Chargin and recordkeeper Ralph Citro.

Laguna won the world lightweight title on April 10, 1965 with a decision over Carlos Ortiz. After losing the title back to Ortiz, Laguna regained it five years later by knocking out Mando Ramos in the ninth round on March 3, 1970. He finished with a career record of 66-9-1 with 38 knockouts.

"It's a great honor to be elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame for me, my family and my country of Panama," Laguna said.

Ramos, nicknamed "Sugar," knocked out Davey Moore to win the world featherweight title on March 21, 1963, and held it for over a year. He also challenged Ortiz twice for the world lightweight title, but was knocked out both times. Ramos, who began his career with a 34-0 record, finished with a mark of 55-7-4 with 40 KOs.

"I'm very happy because it's an honor that champions from before are still remembered," Ramos said. "This is a beautiful thing."

Gallo is considered one of the premier sports cartoonists in the world. He has been with the New York Daily News since 1941 and has received numerous awards for his art and his boxing columns.

"I'm aghast! I'm flabbergasted," Gallo said. "It's quite an honor."

The Hall of Fame also announced these posthumous honorees: Willie Pastrano, Randy Turpin, Paul Berlenbach, Jim Braddock, Billy Papke, Midget Wolgast, "Sad" Sam Ichinose, Lester Bromberg and Barney Aaron.

"We're very excited about the class of 2001," executive director Edward Brophy said. "The 12th class of inductees echoes the international scope of the Hall of Fame."

The induction ceremony is scheduled for June 7-10.