Former boxer Prichard Colon has died at the age of 33, more than 11 years after sustaining severe brain injuries during a fight.
In October 2015, Colon, then a super-middleweight, suffered a bleed on the brain after receiving repeated blows to the back of his head in a contest against Terrel Williams in Virginia. These illegal punches, often referred to as rabbit punches, led to a collapse of part of his skull.
Following the fight, Colon experienced vomiting and collapsed in the dressing room. He was subsequently hospitalized and spent 221 days in a coma. Upon emerging, he was left in a vegetative state with life-altering injuries and required near-constant care from his family.
Before the fight that altered his life, Colon was considered a promising prospect in the boxing world. He had achieved an undefeated record of 16-0, with 13 of those wins by knockout. He had also won multiple national amateur championships and a Youth Pan American gold medal.
After being rushed to the hospital following the bout with Williams, doctors identified a subdural hematoma. He underwent emergency surgery to relieve swelling in his brain. Despite the severe injuries, Colon, in updates shared by his family in the years that followed, showed signs of progress, including attempting to speak and participating in family activities.
Richard Colon, Prichard's father and former trainer, announced his son's passing on social media. "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 wrote. He also expressed gratitude for the "love and prayers" received over the years.
Colon's tragic story has been a point of reflection for many in the boxing community. Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, discussing the incident last year, became emotional, emphasizing the profound impact of such injuries on an athlete's life and their family's future care responsibilities.