The boxing world is mourning the loss of a true fighter following the news of the Prichard Colon death. The retired professional boxer has passed away at the age of 33, more than a decade after sustaining a tragic and life-altering traumatic brain injury in the ring.
His passing was confirmed by his devoted father, Richard Colon, who shared a heartbreaking update with fans on Facebook, stating in Spanish: “I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from his earthly world. He is now in a better place.”
What Happened to Prichard Colon?
In October 2015, the then-23-year-old was a highly touted, undefeated welterweight prospect boasting a professional record of 16-0 with 13 knockouts. During a bout against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia, Colon repeatedly complained to the referee about taking blows to the back of the head.
Following the fight—which he lost by disqualification after his corner mistakenly removed his gloves early—he collapsed and slipped into a coma. The devastating injuries left the young fighter in a persistent vegetative state, requiring round-the-clock family care for the rest of his life. Despite the tragedy, a 2016 state investigative report determined there was no single egregious action to lay blame on one person, though his family later filed a $50 million lawsuit against the ringside doctor and promoters.
A Legacy of Courage and Perseverance
Despite his condition, Prichard fought every single day. Luke Davidson, Outpatient Center Manager for Brooks Rehabilitation, where Colon received physical, occupational, and speech therapy since 2018, described his contagious passion for life and slow but steady progress.
“He was as ready to play as he was to work; often dancing to the music playing in the background between exercises, and challenging me to shadow boxing,” Davidson shared in a statement toESPN.
Tributes have poured in from across the combat sports community:
- The WBO: The World Boxing Organization praised his “courage, perseverance, and an extraordinary fighting spirit.”
- The WBC and WBA: Both the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Association released statements honoring him as “a true warrior.”
- His Family: His father expressed that despite doing everything possible to fulfill Prichard’s dream of returning to Puerto Rico for a vacation, he is now finally at peace.
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