Roldan was on the upswing and gave Marvin a much tougher fight but then, Hagler improved later in the year. Edge goes to Roldan
I wish I could retract my impulse vote, which was reflexively a peak for peak projection. Best against best, I think Hamsho successfully fields Roldan's firepower, and brawls his way to a decision. However, Mustafa was a bit past it in 1984 after the wars he'd been through, and Juan was a few years younger. Given all that, I think Rooster might be right on this one. (Admittedly, the outcome of Hagler-Hamsho II is pivotal in forming my conclusion.) Although Hamsho did manage a huge win over a shockingly faded Benitez, I don't think he ever really recovered from the loss of Paddy Flood in March 1983. (Flood was just 48 when he was killed by a cerebral hemorrhage, and Hamsho was tearfully inconsolable in the post fight interview.)
It would be the middleweight equivalent of the Bonavena-Chuvalo fight, with Roldan as Bonavena and Hamsho as Chuvalo...a very awkward, crude sort of fight and maybe a flash kd of Hamsho..with Roldan getting an ugly decision.
Hamsho was limp and faded by 1984 at 160, while Roldan was peaked...... Yes, both men lost to Hagler that year, but Roldan had the much better showing... MR.BILL
I think Roldan was too strong for Hamsho. Roldan fought in an era where he fought too many greats Hagler and Hearns and a very good Nunn.
Hamsho was fading in 1984. Roldan would have probably been able to get it done. Prime for prime, Hamsho is beast and would probably reverse the outcome in a fight that is just as tough. I would have loved to see this.
