Former Boxer Prichard Colón Dies At 33, 11 Years After Devastating Brain Injury
Former Boxer Prichard Colón Dies at 33, 11 Years After Devastating Brain Injury Former professional boxer Prichard Colón has died at the age of 33, nearly 11 years after suffering a catastrophic brain injury during the only defeat of his professional career. Colón’s father, Richard Colón, confirmed his son’s death on Thursday in a social media post. The family has not publicly disclosed the exact cause of death. Born in the United States and raised in Puerto Rico, Colón was regarded as one of boxing’s brightest young prospects.
He entered his October 2015 bout against Terrel Williams with an undefeated professional record of 16 wins, including 13 knockouts. The fight in Fairfax, Virginia, would ultimately change his life forever.
During the contest, Colón repeatedly complained about blows to the back of his head, commonly known in boxing as rabbit punches. He was also penalised for a low blow, while Williams was deducted a point for an illegal punch. Colón began experiencing serious symptoms after the fight and collapsed in his dressing room.
Doctors diagnosed him with a brain haemorrhage and severe swelling, requiring emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. He subsequently spent 221 days in a coma. After emerging from the coma, Colón remained severely disabled and required round-the-clock care and rehabilitation for the remainder of his life.
His story attracted worldwide attention and became a powerful reminder of the potentially devastating long-term consequences of head injuries in boxing. News of Colón’s death has prompted tributes from across the boxing world, including the World Boxing Organization, whose president Gustavo Olivieri honoured the former fighter. Colón’s resilience and the dedication of his family throughout his years of rehabilitation have also been widely praised.
His death closes a tragic chapter in the story of a fighter whose professional career had appeared destined for much greater heights before one night in the ring changed everything.
