The boxing world is mourning the death of former Puerto Rican prospect Prichard Colon. Whose promising career and life were forever changed by a traumatic brain injury suffered inside the ring more than a decade ago.
Colon died Thursday at the age of 33, according to his father, Richard Colon. For more than 10 years, Colon’s family cared for him after he suffered catastrophic injuries during an October 2015 fight against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia. His father announced his passing in an emotional message on Facebook.
“I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from his earthly world,” Richard Colon wrote in Spanish. “He is now in a better place.”
Richard also revealed that he had hoped to fulfill one of his son’s wishes by taking him back to Puerto Rico.
“I did everything possible to fulfill his wish, his dream of bringing him on vacation to Puerto Rico as he so deeply wanted, but it could not be done.”
A Promising Career Changed Forever
Colon was only 23 years old when he entered the ring against Williams. At the time, he was considered one of Puerto Rico’s most promising young fighters. Carrying an undefeated 16-0 record with 13 knockouts.
During the bout, Colon repeatedly complained about punches landing behind his head. He was also knocked down by a blow to the back of the head.
After the fight, Colon’s condition deteriorated dramatically. He was eventually diagnosed with a severe traumatic brain injury that left him in a persistent vegetative state and requiring around-the-clock care from his family. His professional boxing career was over, but a much more difficult fight had only begun.
Family Remained by His Side
Over the following decade, Colon’s story became about much more than boxing. His family remained dedicated to his care as he dealt with the devastating consequences of his injuries.
Updates on Colon’s condition periodically reached the boxing community, and his family’s commitment to his rehabilitation made him a symbol of perseverance while also serving as a sobering reminder of the dangers fighters accept every time they enter the ring.
The circumstances surrounding the Williams fight also generated serious questions about fighter safety, officiating and ringside medical care. A Virginia investigative report released in 2016 described Colon’s condition as tragic but concluded there was not a single action sufficiently apparent or egregious to place responsibility on one individual.
In 2017, Colon’s parents filed a $50 million lawsuit against the ringside physician and promoters associated with the fight.
A Story Boxing Cannot Forget
Prichard Colon entered professional boxing with championship aspirations. At 23, undefeated and possessing legitimate knockout power. There was every reason to believe his biggest nights were still ahead of him.
Instead, one night in Virginia changed everything. His story became one of boxing’s most painful reminders that the sport’s consequences can extend far beyond wins, losses, championships and paydays.
It is also a reminder of the responsibility entrusted to referees, physicians, commissions, trainers and everyone involved with protecting fighters. Prichard Colon never received the opportunity to discover how far his boxing talent could take him.
But the courage he displayed and the devotion his family showed throughout his decade-long fight ensured that he was never forgotten by the sport he once dreamed of conquering.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
