Prichard Colon, a former professional boxer, has passed away at the age of 33, nearly 11 years after suffering a devastating injury in the ring during a fight that left him in a coma. His father, Richard Colon, shared the heartbreaking news on social media on Thursday.
In an emotional Facebook post, Richard wrote, “Good morning, my people. I am sad to share that my son Prichard has left this earthly world. He is now in a better place.” He expressed his regret about not being able to fulfill Prichard’s dream of going on vacation to Puerto Rico and thanked everyone for their love and prayers over the years, asking for continued support during this difficult time.
Prichard Colon, hailing from Puerto Rico, entered the boxing world with an impressive record of 16 wins, 13 of which came by knockout. However, his career took a tragic turn in October 2015 when he faced Terrel Williams. The fight became notorious due to multiple blows to the back of Colon’s head, an issue he raised with the referee, but the match continued. Colon also faced two penalties for low blows during the fight.
In the ninth round, Colon was knocked down. A mix-up occurred when his corner mistakenly removed his gloves, thinking the bout had ended. This led to Colon’s disqualification. Following the match, his health quickly worsened. He began to vomit and collapsed in the dressing room, prompting urgent medical attention. Doctors later diagnosed him with a subdural haematoma, a serious condition involving bleeding around the brain, and he underwent emergency surgery to relieve the pressure.
Tragically, after 221 days in a coma, Colon woke up but was left in a vegetative state. He couldn’t speak on his own and needed special devices to communicate. For the rest of his life, he was lovingly cared for by his family until his passing.
This sad news marks the end of a life filled with hope and promise, echoing the struggles of a young man who fought hard both in and out of the ring.
