Prichard Colón: boxer dies at age 33 after long battle with fight injury
The boxing world mourns the death of former boxer Prichard Colón, who passed away at the age of 33, more than a decade after suffering a serious head injury during a professional fight. The athlete had been in a vegetative state since 2015, when an illegal blow to the head during a fight ended his promising career and plunged him into a long period of suffering.
The news of his death was announced by his father, Richard Colón, in a post on social media. “I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world,” the father wrote, adding that his son “is now in a better world.” He also expressed gratitude for the years of support and prayers received by the family.
More on this story: Former boxer Prichard Colón dies aged 33 after long battle with brain injury
Prichard Colón’s successful trajectory before the fatal fight
Prichard Colón, born in Florida, moved to Puerto Rico as a child and quickly made a name for himself on the amateur boxing scene. His skill and dedication led him to win five national amateur titles and a gold medal at the Pan American Youth Games, all before he turned 20 years old.
His transition to professional boxing in 2013 was equally impressive. Fighting in the super welterweight category, Colón built a record of 17 fights, winning 16 of them, with 13 knockouts. One of his notable triumphs was against former WBA champion Vivian Harris in September 2015, when he knocked out his opponent in the fourth round.
Details of the fight that changed the boxer’s life in 2015
A month after his victory over Harris, in October 2015, Prichard Colón faced Terrel Williams at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. Aged 23 at the time, Colón suffered a series of blows, including an illegal punch to the back of the head, known as a “rabbit jab”, during the 10-round fight.
Footage from the fight shows Williams hitting Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, causing an apparent stun. Williams was penalized for the irregular hit. Even after being briefly examined in his corner, the fight continued.
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Colón was knocked down twice in the ninth round. The situation worsened when his corner, by mistake, took off his gloves thinking that it was the last round and that the fight was over, which resulted in Colón’s disqualification.
The 11 years of struggle against the consequences of brain injury
After the fight ended, Colón showed symptoms of head trauma in his locker room. He was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. Although he survived, his injuries were irreversible, forcing him to retire early from boxing.
In the following years, Prichard lived in a vegetative state, requiring continuous care and often appearing in a wheelchair, as shown in images shared by his father. The family maintained a routine of monitoring and support, which lasted for more than a decade.
The impact of the Colón tragedy on boxing safety rules
The case of Prichard Colón generated deep reflection in the boxing community about the safety of athletes. The World Boxing Council (WBC) paid tribute to the fighter, describing him as an “eternal champion” and “icon of bravery”. The organization had already named Colón as “Honorary World Champion” and presented him with the green and gold belt that, according to them, he always deserved.
The Colón tragedy also had a direct impact on the review and strengthening of safety standards in sport. The WBC stated that the case inspired it to:
- Categorically reinforce safety standards.
- Adopt “zero tolerance” for blows to the back of the head (rabbit punches).
- Implement more stringent medical protocols to protect the health of boxers.
Prichard Colón’s legacy goes beyond his victories in the ring, serving as a poignant reminder and a catalyst for improving athlete protection in a high-risk sport. “Rest in peace, dear Prichard. Your legacy and your smile will live forever in our hearts,” the WBC said in a statement.
