Former Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colon has passed away at age 33, nearly eleven years after suffering catastrophic brain injuries in a tragic 2015 fight. The tragic news marks the end of a long, heartbreaking battle for the former rising star.
Colon entered the ring in October 2015 as an unbeaten super-middleweight prospect with a pristine 16-0 record. But his bout against Terrel Williams in Virginia turned into a total nightmare. Colon endured repeated illegal rabbit punches to the back of the head during the contest. The devastating blows caused part of his skull to collapse and triggered a massive bleed on his brain. After collapsing in his dressing room, he was rushed to hospital, underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, and slipped into a 221-day coma.
When Colon finally woke up, he was left in a vegetative state and required round-the-clock care from his devoted family.
His father, Richard Colon, confirmed the tragic loss in an emotional social media post. He wrote: “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.”
Colon’s tragic story sent shockwaves through the sporting world for over a decade. Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder famously broke down when reflecting on the extreme risks boxers take every time they step through the ropes.
Highlighting the harsh reality of combat sports, Wilder emotionally stated: “This man didn’t have no kids… they don’t understand. Y’all don’t f****** understand what we go through, man.”
Wilder expanded on the heartbreaking human cost of severe ring injuries, adding: “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.”
The former champion concluded with a sobering reminder of why fighters risk their lives: “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.”
Colon’s relentless fight inspired millions across the globe, but his death serves as a stark reminder of boxing’s fatal dangers.
