By Gabriel F. Cordero
Sad to report that former middleweight world title challenger Juan Domingo “Martillo” Roldán, 63, died at the José Bernardo Iturraspe Hospital in San Francisco in Cordoba, Argentina. The cause was “respiratory failure”‘ associated with “bilateral pneumonia” that was diagnosed after he tested positive for covid-19.
Roldán had a professional record of 67-5-2 with 47 knockouts between 1978 and 1988. He had three world title shots, coming up short against Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Michael Nunn. In most other eras, Roldan likely would have been a world champion.
No doubt he was an exciting swing for the fences clubber. I read some where-are-they-now type articles on him recently. He did not appear to be in the best of health. Huge weight gain.
Checked, Roldan retired when he was only 31? He looked much older, even then. Watched his world title challenges those years. What a tough pressure fighter. Good with both hands.
God Bless You Champ…
Back in 87 I watched Hearns v Roldan, an explosive back and forth brawl, I was buzzed watching these 2 go at it.
Roldan fell short that night, but he gave a great account of himself… RIP champ
Good tough middleweight he broke my heart when he beat the animal , I was a Fletcher fan at the time!!!
JD Roldan allways in exiteing fights.RIP
I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing him for a documentary series for the latin arm from HBO; very humble, candid guy, strong family values; he surely will be greatly missed