Boxer Prichard Colón dies 11 years after suffering brain injury in fight

Former Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colón has died at the age of 33, almost 11 years after sustaining a severe brain injury during a professional fight. The injury left him in a persistent vegetative state. Colón passed away on Thursday, as announced by his father and former coach, Richard Colón, on Facebook. "Good morning my people. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world, now he is in a better world," Richard Colón wrote. "I did everything possible to fulfil his wish, his dream of bringing him on vacation to Puerto Rico as much as he desired but couldn’t. Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers."

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Good morning my people. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world, now he is in a better world.

Colón, a former junior middleweight, had an undefeated professional record of 16 wins, with 13 knockouts. He was considered a promising young fighter before his career ended abruptly in October 2015. The devastating injury occurred during a bout against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia. Colón received repeated blows to the back of the head, known as rabbit punches, and was knocked down twice in the ninth round before his corner stopped the fight. He was immediately hospitalized, where doctors diagnosed a subdural hematoma and performed emergency surgery. Colón remained in a coma for 221 days and never regained the ability to walk or speak. He underwent years of rehabilitation and was cared for by his family throughout his life.

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I did everything possible to fulfil his wish, his dream of bringing him on vacation to Puerto Rico as much as he desired but couldn’t.

The incident led to significant safety reforms in boxing. In 2016, the World Boxing Council established the "Prichard Colón Rule," enforcing zero tolerance for punches to the back of the head. In 2017, Colón's parents filed a $50 million lawsuit against the ringside physician and promoters involved in the fight. Born in Florida in 1992, Colón also had a successful amateur career, winning gold at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship. His death brings renewed focus to the long-term consequences of head injuries in combat sports and the lasting impact of the reforms implemented after his injury.

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Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers.