Ex-boxer Prichard Colón Dies After a Decade With Severe Brain Damage From Fight

Former boxer Prichard Colón has died at 33, a decade after a fight left him with severe, irreversible brain damage. His passing marks the end of a long struggle following a bout in October 2015 that drastically altered his promising career.

Colón, who was undefeated as an amateur and had a strong professional record, faced Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia. During the fight, he sustained multiple illegal blows to the back of his head, often referred to as "rabbit punches." These injuries resulted in a subdural hematoma, causing irreparable damage to his brain.

Following the fight, Colón was hospitalized and fell into a coma. He subsequently entered a lengthy period of intensive care and rehabilitation that spanned the next ten years. His case deeply shocked the boxing world, highlighting the devastating consequences of head trauma in the sport.

At the time of the fight, Colón had amassed 16 professional victories, with 12 coming by knockout. His potential was widely recognized, making the tragic turn of events all the more poignant. His decade-long battle with the severe neurological consequences of that single fight serves as a somber reminder of the risks inherent in professional boxing.