Johann Wilhelm Trollmann

Johann Wilhelm Trollmann (December 27, 1907 - February 9, 1943) was a German Sinto boxer.

The charismatic Trollmann became prominent in the late 1920s and was a special favorite of female fans, with whom he flirted even during fights. On June 9, 1933, he fought for the German light-heavyweight title and although he clearly led by points over his opponent Adolf Witt, the fight was judged "no result". The audience rebelled, and the Nazi officials were forced to acknowledge Trollmann as the victor. Six days later, however, he was again stripped of the title. A new fight was scheduled for July 21, with Gustav Eder as Trollmann's opponent. Trollmann was threatened that he had to change his "dancing" style or lose his license. Trollmann, of Sinti heritage, arrived the day of the match with his hair dyed blond and his body whitened with flour, the caricature of an Aryan. He took the blows of his opponent for five rounds before he collapsed.

The persecution of Sinti and Roma in Germany dramatically increased in the following years. Sterilization often prevented their internment in concentration camps, and Trollmann too underwent this operation. In 1939 he was drafted into the Wehrmacht, and fought on the eastern front. After returning wounded in 1941, the Gestapo arrested him in June 1942 and he was interned in Neuengamme concentration camp, where he was humiliated and ultimately killed.

In 2003 the German boxing federation decided to recognize Trollmann as the winner of the 1933 championship.

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