Juan Domingo Roldán (6 March 1957 – 18 November 2020) was an Argentine

professional boxer Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory autho ...

, best remembered for his strong showing in the early rounds of an undisputed world championship bout against

Marvelous Marvin Hagler Marvelous Marvin Hagler (born Marvin Nathaniel Hagler; May 23, 1954 – March 13, 2021) was an American professional boxer and film actor. He competed in boxing from 1973 to 1987 and reigned as the undisputed champion of the middleweight div ...

. After flooring Hagler in the opening seconds with a swing that made contact with the forearm rather than glove on an off balance Hagler, Roldan was able to further exceed low expectations of the success he could enjoy against the dominant middleweight champion. Hagler methodically regained control, and after taking several rounds of punishment, Roldán declined to continue. He retired for a couple of years before coming back with a campaign that took him to another middleweight world title bout, this time with

Thomas Hearns Thomas Hearns (born October 18, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 2006. Nicknamed the " Motor City Cobra", and more famously "The Hitman", Hearns's tall, slender build and oversized arms and shoulders allow ...

. In an exciting contest, Roldán shook Hearns early, but succumbed to a Hearns attack in the fourth. A final world middleweight title fight with

Michael Nunn Michael John Nunn (born April 14, 1963) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2002. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the IBF middleweight title from 1988 to 1991, and the WBA super middleweight title ...

resulted in a loss by KO, following which Roldán ended his professional boxing career. Nicknamed ''Martillo'' (''Hammer'') Roldán often featured on '' Ring En Español'' magazine.

Career

Roldán made his professional debut on December 8, 1978 in San Francisco, Argentina, defeating Jorge Servin via first-round knockout. His first four wins all came by first round

knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...

s. On May 11, 1979, Roldán went the distance for the first time when rival Hugo Obregón went ten rounds with him. Roldán won the fight on points. On September 21, 1979, he suffered the first defeat of his career to Juan Carlos Borgado, losing a ten-round decision. Out of his next eighteen bouts, he won seventeen and drew (tied) once. He then challenged Jacinto Fernández on March 13, 1981, for the Argentine Middleweight title, winning a twelve-round decision. In his next fight, he beat José María Flores Burlón, a boxer who would later challenge Carlos De León for the world's Cruiserweight title. Roldán won six more fights and drew one before challenging José Maria's brother, Carlos Flores Burlón for the South American Middleweight title, on February 12, 1982. He won the title with a second-round knockout. Before 1982 was over, he retained his Argentine Middleweight title with a first-round knockout of Marcos Perez, but losing on a disqualification in three rounds to Ricardo Arce. In an immediate rematch, Roldán put his Argentine title on the line and this time, he avenged his defeat to Arce with a second-round knockout win. After five more wins in a row, he fought

Juan Carlos Peralta ''Juan'' is a given name, the Spanish and Manx versions of '' John''. It is very common in Spain and in other Spanish-speaking communities around the world and in the Philippines, and also (pronounced differently) in the Isle of Man. In Spanis ...

, with the fight resulting in a three-round

no contest ' is a legal term that comes from the Latin phrase for "I do not wish to contend". It is also referred to as a plea of no contest or no defense. In criminal trials in certain United States jurisdictions, it is a plea where the defendant neithe ...

. On May 27, 1983, Roldán made his international debut, with a 10-round decision over Teddy Mann in

Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area and the seventh-least populous, with slightly fewer than 1.1 million residents as of 2020, but i ...

, United States. After retaining his Argentine title twice more, he was faced, on November 10, 1983, with one of the top rated Middleweights of the time, Frank 'The Animal' Fletcher, at the undercard of the high-profile, Marvin Hagler vs. Roberto Durán world title fight in

Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish language, Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the List of United States cities by population, 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the U.S. state, state of Neva ...

. Roldán dropped Fletcher twice on his way to a sixth-round knockout victory. After this win, Roldán was ranked number 1 by the major boxing organizations, and he accordingly met Hagler for the undisputed world middleweight title on March 30, 1984. Seconds into round one, the quick starting Roldán became the first and only boxer to score an official knockdown against Hagler, who though not hurt was disconcerted. Roldán showed less recklessness than previously and utilising his innate hand speed and a style difficult for southpaws to defend against, he landed scoring punches for the next few rounds while pressing the action. Though not rocking Hagler, they were considered surprising by commentators in view of his skills and Roldán's crude technique. However, the middle of the bout Hagler had scored a knockdown, and was winning every exchange. After being floored in the tenth, a swollen and cut Roldán quit, giving Hagler a win by technical knockout. The October after this bruising loss, Roldán announced his retirement. His knockdown of Hagler signaled the beginning of a renowned champion's decline, but none of the diminished Hagler's subsequent opponents were able to duplicate Roldán's feat which remained unique. In 1986, Roldán reconsidered his decision and made a comeback. He won twelve bouts in a row, including one over James Kinchen, before he challenged for a world title again. On October 29, 1987, at Las Vegas,

became the first boxer to win world titles in four different divisions when he beat Roldán in four rounds by knockout, but not before Roldán had Hearns in trouble in rounds three and four. On September 16, 1988, Roldán beat former world Middleweight champion Hugo Corro via first-round knockout in

Mar del Plata Mar del Plata is a city on the coast of the Argentine Sea, Atlantic Ocean, in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It is the seat of General Pueyrredón Partido, General Pueyrredón district. Mar del Plata is the second largest city in Buenos Aires ...

, securing a third world title shot, against

on November 4 of that year. Roldán lost what turned out to be his last fight, by a knockout in round eight. Roldán retired with a record of 67 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws and one no contest, 47 of his wins being by knockout.

Death

Roldán died on November 18, 2020, from

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickl ...

during the

COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina The COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 () caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (). On 3 March 2020, the virus was confirmed to have spread to Argentina. As of , a t ...

. He was 63.

Professional boxing record

, - , align="center" colspan=8, 67 Wins (47 knockouts, 20 decisions), 5 Losses (4 knockouts, 1 decision), 2 Draws, 1 No Contest''

, - , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Res. , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Record , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Opponent , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Type , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Round , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Date , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Location , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Notes , -align=center , Loss , , align=left,

, KO , 8 , 04/11/1988 , align=left,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vega ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Hugo Pastor Corro , KO , 1 , 16/09/1988 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Miguel Angel Maldonado , KO , 6 , 19/08/1988 , align=left, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left,

, KO , 4 , 29/10/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Clarismundo Aparecido Silva , KO , 2 , 15/05/1987 , align=left,

Comodoro Rivadavia Comodoro Rivadavia () is a city in the Patagonian province of Chubut in southern Argentina, located on the San Jorge Gulf, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, at the foot of the Chenque Hill. Comodoro Rivadavia is the most important city of the San ...

, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, James "The Heat" Kinchen , TKO , 9 , 06/04/1987 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Tomas Polo Ruiz Tomas may refer to: People * Tomás (given name), a Spanish, Portuguese, and Gaelic given name * Tomas (given name), a Swedish, Dutch, and Lithuanian given name * Tomáš, a Czech and Slovak given name * Tomas (surname), a French and Croatian s ...

, KO , 4 , 06/02/1987 , align=left,

Rosario, Santa Fe Rosario () is the largest city in the central Argentine province of Santa Fe. The city is located northwest of Buenos Aires, on the west bank of the Paraná River. Rosario is the third-most populous city in the country, and is also the most p ...

, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Carlos Maria del Valle Herrera , KO , 2 , 13/12/1986 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, JB Williamson , PTS , 10 , 18/10/1986 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Juan Carlos Gimenez , PTS , 10 , 13/09/1986 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Miguel Angel Maldonado , KO , 2 , 29/08/1986 , align=left,

, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Darryl Penn , KO , 3 , 01/08/1986 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Eduardo Domingo Contreras , PTS , 10 , 19/06/1986 , align=left, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jorge Juan Salgado , PTS , 10 , 10/05/1986 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Angel Antonio Caro In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as wikt:benevolent, benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Oth ...

, KO , 6 , 29/03/1986 , align=left, Villa Angela, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Juan Carlos "The King" Fernandez , KO , 2 , 14/02/1986 , align=left, Ceres, Santa Fe, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Andre Mongelema , PTS , 8 , 14/07/1984 , align=left,

Monte Carlo Monte Carlo (; ; french: Monte-Carlo , or colloquially ''Monte-Carl'' ; lij, Munte Carlu ; ) is officially an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino i ...

, Monaco , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left,

, TKO , 10 , 30/03/1984 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Frank "The Animal" Fletcher , KO , 6 , 10/11/1983 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Eduardo Domingo Contreras , PTS , 10 , 16/09/1983 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Roberto Justino Ruiz , KO , 8 , 06/08/1983 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Teddy Mann , UD , 10 , 27/05/1983 , align=left,

Providence, Rhode Island Providence is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. One of the oldest cities in New England, it was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Reformed Baptist theologian and religious exile from the Massachusetts Bay ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Wilbur Henderson , KO , 7 , 11/02/1983 , align=left,

Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester ( , ) is a city and county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, the city's population was 206,518 at the 2020 census, making it the second- most populous city in New England after ...

, Argentina , align=left, , - , No Contest , , align=left,

, NC , 3 , 14/01/1983 , align=left, Trebol, Santa Fe, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Jose Alberto Vega Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. *Jose ben Abin *Jose ben Akabya * Jose the G ...

, KO , 2 , 10/12/1982 , align=left, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Reggie Ford , KO , 1 , 30/10/1982 , align=left,

Sanremo Sanremo (; lij, Sanrémmo(ro) or , ) or San Remo is a city and comune on the Mediterranean coast of Liguria, in northwestern Italy. Founded in Roman times, it has a population of 55,000, and is known as a tourist destination on the Italian Rivie ...

, Italy , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, PTS , 10 , 08/10/1982 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jacinto Horacio Fernandez , KO , 2 , 11/09/1982 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Obdulio Rogelio Zarza Obdulio is a Spanish male given name. It may refer to: *Obdulio Ávila Mayo, Mexican politician * Obdulio Diano, Argentine footballer *José Obdulio Gaviria, Colombian politician *Epifanio Obdulio Guerrero, known as Epy Guerrero, Dominican basebal ...

, RTD , 6 , 13/08/1982 , align=left, Corrientes, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Ricardo Arce , KO , 2 , 10/07/1982 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left, Ricardo Arce , DQ , 3 , 08/05/1982 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Marcos Perez , KO , 1 , 16/04/1982 , align=left, Corrientes, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, "Sugar" Ray Phillips , KO , 1 , 06/03/1982 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Carlos Flores Burlon , KO , 2 , 12/02/1982 , align=left, Pergamino, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, PTS , 10 , 22/01/1982 , align=left, Morteros, Argentina , align=left, , - , Draw , , align=left, Jacinto Horacio Fernandez , PTS , 10 , 10/10/1981 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Julio Cesar Arancibia , KO , 2 , 11/09/1981 , align=left, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Ricardo Molina Ortiz Ricardo is the Spanish and Portuguese cognate of the name Richard. It derived from Proto-Germanic ''*rīks'' 'king, ruler' + ''*harduz'' 'hard, brave'. It may be a given name, or a surname. People Given name *Ricardo de Araújo Pereira, Portug ...

, KO , 5 , 24/07/1981 , align=left, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, KO , 1 , 10/07/1981 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, PTS , 10 , 26/06/1981 , align=left,

San Salvador de Jujuy San Salvador de Jujuy (), commonly known as Jujuy and locally often referred to as San Salvador, is the capital and largest city of Jujuy Province in northwest Argentina. Also, it is the seat of the Doctor Manuel Belgrano Department. It lies near ...

, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jose Maria Flores Burlon , TKO , 3 , 13/06/1981 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jacinto Horacio Fernandez , PTS , 12 , 13/03/1981 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Manuel Navarro , KO , 6 , 13/02/1981 , align=left,

, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Marcos Perez , PTS , 10 , 16/01/1981 , align=left,

Villa Carlos Paz Villa Carlos Paz () is a city in the center-north of the province of Córdoba, Argentina, in the south of the Punilla Valley, lying on the western slope of the Sierras Chicas. It has a population of about 56,000 as per the . The area of Punilla is ...

, Argentina , align=left, , - , Draw , , align=left,

, PTS , 12 , 19/12/1980 , align=left, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Jose Luis Duran Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. *Jose ben Abin *Jose ben Akabya * Jose the Galil ...

, KO , 6 , 05/12/1980 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Enrique Coronel , KO , 7 , 21/11/1980 , align=left,

Salta, Argentina Salta () is the capital and largest city in the Argentine province of the same name. With a population of 618,375 according to the 2010 census, it is also the 7th most-populous city in Argentina. The city serves as the cultural and economic ce ...

, align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Ramon Perez , PTS , 12 , 07/11/1980 , align=left, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, PTS , 10 , 03/10/1980 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Roberto Antonio Marziali , KO , 1 , 22/08/1980 , align=left, Las Varillas, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, PTS , 10 , 08/07/1980 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Aldo Carmona , KO , 3 , 27/06/1980 , align=left,

, align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jorge Juan Salgado , KO , 7 , 06/06/1980 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, PTS , 10 , 16/05/1980 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Ramon Perez , KO , 8 , 11/04/1980 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Alfredo B Cruz , KO , 7 , 15/03/1980 , align=left, Buenos Aire, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Marcos Perez , KO , 6 , 22/02/1980 , align=left, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Juan Carlos Bogado , PTS , 10 , 08/02/1980 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Roberto Troilo Ortiz The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

, KO , 2 , 18/01/1980 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Alfredo B Cruz , RTD , 8 , 22/12/1979 , align=left,

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the Capital city, capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata ...

, Argentina , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left, Juan Carlos Bogado , RTD , 8 , 21/09/1979 , align=left, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Natalio O Ibarra Natalio is a district in the Itapúa Department of Paraguay. It is located in the South-East of the country, with the town center located just 10 km from the Paraná River and the border with Argentina. The district lies 45 km off Rou ...

, TKO , 4 , 07/09/1979 , align=left, Freyre, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Alberto R Cardozo , KO , 3 , 24/08/1979 , align=left, Morteros, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Ramon Perez , PTS , 12 , 10/08/1979 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Alberto Juan Almiron , RTD , 5 , 20/07/1979 , align=left, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Oscar "The Grouch" Perez , KO , 2 , 29/06/1979 , align=left,

Rafaela, Argentina Rafaela () is a city in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, about 96 km from the provincial capital. It is the head town of the Castellanos Department. It has a population of 99,150 per the . The city was established in 1881 by Guillerm ...

, align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Hugo D Estefano Obregon , RTD , 11 , 08/06/1979 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, PTS , 10 , 24/05/1979 , align=left, Brickman, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Hugo D Estefano Obregon , PTS , 10 , 11/05/1979 , align=left, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Oscar Francisco Lopez , KO , 4 , 20/04/1979 , align=left,

Sunchales, Santa Fe Sunchales is a city in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It has 21,304 inhabitants per the . It lies in the center-west of the province, from the provincial capital Santa Fe, on National Route 34. Sunchales is located in the most fertile pa ...

, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Luis Carcacha , RTD , 3 , 06/04/1979 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Irineo Claudio Cabrera , KO , 1 , 23/03/1979 , align=left, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Luis Alberto Gutierrez , KO , 1 , 09/02/1979 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Juan Carlos Hauscarriaga , KO , 1 , 26/01/1979 , align=left, Las Varillas, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Jorge Servin , KO , 1 , 08/12/1978 , align=left, San Francisco, Cordoba, Argentina , align=left,

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Roldan, Juan 1957 births 2020 deaths Roldan Juan Argentine male boxers Middleweight boxers Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina