Roman Gonzalez’s trainer pronounced brain dead

In some sad news around the boxing world, the trainer of pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez, Arnulfo Obando, was officially pronounced brain dead yesterday. At that time he was only breathing through a ventilator via a report from ESPN Digital writer Salvador Rodriguez.

Obando, 54, had previously undergone surgery for a brain aneurysm after he suffered a stroke at the end of October while vacationing in his home country of Nicaragua. Some reports surfaced yesterday stating that Obando’s family were planning on taking him off the ventilator within hours, although no official confirmation of that actually happening seems have been verified at this time.

Even still, there are some obscure reports today that Obando has passed away. This news clearly has to be a big blow to Roman Gonzalez as well as, of course, Obando’s family and friends. He was the coach of Nicaragua’s only four-division world titlist, which is no small feat, and thus should have a lasting legacy — particularly in Nicaragua.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Arnulfo Obando.