Prichard Colon, a former boxer who suffered severe brain damage during a fight more than a decade ago, has died at the age of 33. His father, Richard Colon, confirmed his son’s passing in a social media post on Thursday.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) president, Gustavo Olivieri, shared a tribute to Colon, acknowledging his courage and fighting spirit. The post did not specify the cause of death for the Puerto Rican boxer.
The 2015 fight and its aftermath
Colon sustained his injuries during a boxing match against Terrel Williams in Virginia, US, in October 2015. Born in Florida, US, Colon began his boxing career in Puerto Rico, where he secured five amateur titles. He was considered a “rising star” leading up to the nationally televised match.
During the fight, an online video showed Williams, a fighter from Los Angeles, punching Colon in the back of the head in the seventh round. This illegal punch appeared to stun Colon, who was briefly examined in his corner. Williams received a penalty for the illegal action.
Colon was subsequently knocked down twice in the ninth round. He was disqualified after the ninth round when his corner mistakenly removed his gloves, believing the fight had concluded. After the match, Colon required assistance to reach his dressing room. He reported feeling dizzy, vomited, and then “passed out.”
He was rushed to hospital, where he underwent surgery to alleviate pressure on his brain. Colon spent seven months in a coma following the incident. At the time of the fight, he was 23 years old.
Years of care and progress
In 2016, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation investigated the incident and determined there was no wrongdoing by the fight’s organisers. The regulator stated that “no one action [or failure to act] can be identified that is so apparent or egregious to justify holding accountable any one person.”
By 2017, nearly two years after the fight, Colon remained in what doctors described as a persistent vegetative state, requiring constant care. His parents expressed hope that he would regain some brain function despite the significant challenges he faced, with his father stating, “I do believe in miracles.”
Significant progress was noted by 2019. After months of therapy, Colon was able to communicate through facial gestures, verbal sounds, and a computer that tracked his eye movements. He could also pedal on a recumbent bike and, with assistance, take steps, engaging in a friendly rivalry with a fellow patient. A reporter noted that Colon’s competitive spirit drove him, despite days of fatigue and impatience.
Prior to the 2015 contest, Colon was an undefeated professional prospect, holding a record of 16 wins, including 13 knockouts. Following his emergence from the coma, he remained in a vegetative state and relied on computer assistance for communication, receiving full-time care from his family until his death.
Tributes from the boxing community
News of the former boxer’s death led to an outpouring of grief within the boxing community. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri remarked that Colon’s life was characterised by courage, perseverance, and an extraordinary fighting spirit. Olivieri added that Colon’s story extended beyond the ring, deeply affecting the boxing community, which supported him over the years with respect, admiration, and hope.
The WBO also paid tribute to Colon’s resilience and the unwavering love demonstrated by his family.
Source: abc.net.au
