Prichard Colon, a former professional boxer, has passed away at 33, succumbing to severe brain injuries that drastically altered his life over a decade ago.
In October 2015, Colon, who was then fighting in the super-middleweight division, endured a brain hemorrhage following a match against American fighter Terrel Williams in Virginia. This injury came from multiple illegal punches to the back of his head.
After his loss in the ring, Colon collapsed and vomited in the dressing room, leading to an urgent hospital admission where he spent 221 days in a coma. During the bout, a section of his skull had caved in due to the repeated illegal punches, known as rabbit punches, which are forbidden in boxing.
When he awoke from the coma, the once hopeful boxing talent faced a new reality in a vegetative state. With profound injuries, Colon required round-the-clock care from his dedicated family.
Before turning professional, Colon had achieved significant success in the boxing world, claiming numerous national amateur titles and earning a Youth Pan American gold medal.
Colon’s dad and former trainer, Richard, announced the heartbreaking news on social media, writing: ‘Good morning, everyone. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world. He is now in a better place.’
He added: ‘Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers.’
Former boxer Prichard Colon has died at the age of 33, his family have announced
The Puerto Rican suffered catastrophic brain injuries during a 2015 fight (pictured)
Until that fateful fight almost 11 years ago, Colon had been one of the sport’s most promising prospects.
He had established an unblemished 16-0 record with 13 knockouts with many in boxing viewing him as a future star.
Following the bout against Williams, Colon was rushed to the hospital where doctors discovered a subdural hematoma.
He underwent emergency surgery as medics desperately attempted to relieve the swelling in his brain. After spending 221 days in a coma, Colon awoke unable to walk or talk.
Despite the traumatic injuries, just three years ago, Colon had vowed not to throw in the towel.
In an update on his Facebook profile at the time, Colon attempted to speak with his mother and even raised a smile in a moving video.
The post was captioned: ‘I will not give up’.
In other clips, the ex-fighter could be seen attending a truck rally with his family, while also appearing to take a positive step in being able to brush his own teeth.
He was left in a vegetative state and was under the near-constant care of his family
Until that fateful fight, Colon had been one of the sport’s most promising prospects
His mother also shared a video of her son on his 31st birthday where she gave him a cupcake with a candle on it.
Colon’s story is one of the most tragic in boxing history, with former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder breaking down in tears while discussing it last year.
‘We’ve seen what happens, look at Colon. How he got hit, Prichard Colon, correct,’ Wilder said.
‘This man didn’t have no kids… they don’t understand. Y’all don’t f****** understand what we go through, man.
‘And I don’t even know him like that, but I will always be an advocate for us. Because this man will never know what it’s like to be somebody’s father. And that’s one of the most precious things in the world, to be somebody’s father. But he will never be nobody’s father, man.
‘Because he got in the ring to support his family but now, his family got to take care of him for the rest of his life.’