Former Boxing Star Prichard Colon Passes Away at 33 Following Devastating Ring Injury

Former professional boxer Prichard Colon has passed away at the age of 33, exactly 11 years after suffering life-altering brain injuries during a match. The Puerto Rican athlete was considered one of the sport’s rising stars before slipping into a 221-day coma following his 2015 bout against United States boxer Terence Williams.

The super-welterweight fight, held in October 2015, ended in the ninth round when Colon’s team removed his gloves while the fighter complained of dizziness, resulting in a victory by disqualification for Williams. Throughout the match, Colon reported that Williams had repeatedly delivered illegal blows to the back of his head, commonly known as “rabbit punches.” Although a complaint was made, the referee only penalized Williams by deducting a single point.

Shortly after returning to his dressing room, Colon collapsed. He was diagnosed with a subdural haematoma and underwent emergency brain surgery, which left him in a coma. After eventually waking up, the severe extent of his neurological damage became apparent, leaving him in need of round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life.

His father, Richard Colon, shared the news of his passing via a Facebook announcement late on Thursday, stating, “I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world. Now he is in a better world.” Colon passed away at his family home in Florida, having previously compiled an undefeated record of 16 fights, which included 13 knockouts, prior to his match with Williams.

The tragic event, which took place in Fairfax, Virginia, US, continues to cast a long shadow over the sport, raising enduring questions regarding boxer safety. Terence Williams, who held an undefeated 15-0 record with 12 knockouts at the time, later fought in 2017 and 2019, though he admitted the aftermath of the fight profoundly impacted his life and career.