Former Puerto Rican professional boxer Prichard Colón has died at the age of 33, his father and former trainer, Richard Colón, announced Thursday on social media. The death comes a decade after Colón sustained a traumatic brain injury during a bout.
Colón had been living with the effects of the brain damage he suffered in a fight against Terrel Williams on Oct. 17, 2015, at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. He entered that match with an undefeated record of 16-0, with 13 knockouts, having turned professional just two years prior.
During the bout against Williams, Colón was struck multiple times on the back of the head and was knocked down twice. Williams was penalized for illegal rabbit punches during the match.
After the fight, Colón reported feeling dizzy, subsequently collapsing and losing consciousness while vomiting in the locker room. He was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to address brain swelling and bleeding. He remained in a coma for seven months.
According to reports, Colón suffered a 1.5-centimeter brain bleed on the left side of his head and was later confined to a wheelchair in a vegetative state. A cause of death was not immediately provided.
Richard Colón shared the news of his son's passing on Facebook, stating, "He is now in a better place." He expressed his gratitude for years of support, adding, "Thank you for so many years of love and prayers."
The boxing community acknowledged Colón's passing, with DAZN Boxing posting on X (formerly Twitter), "The boxing world mourns the loss of Prichard Colón. A true warrior whose strength touched and inspired so many. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones."