Promising boxer passes away at 33 — a decade after tragic fight
Prichard Colon, considered one of the sport's rising talents, was severely injured in 2015 after receiving illegal blows to the back of the head and remained in a coma for 200 days.
Prichard Colon, the Puerto Rican boxer who was severely injured in a fight in 2015 and suffered brain damage that left him in a coma for 200 days, has passed away at the age of 33. Colon's father, Richard, announced his death on social media:
"I am sorry to announce the passing of my son Prichard from this world. He is now in a better place."
Colon was considered one of the rising talents in boxing when he entered the ring against Terrel Williams on October 17, 2015, in Fairfax, Virginia. Up until that fight, he held a perfect record of 16 wins, 13 of which were by knockout. During the match, Colon claimed that his opponent hit him repeatedly in the back of the head — blows known as "Rabbit Punches" and prohibited in the sport due to their danger. Williams even lost a point during the fight following one of these blows.
After collapsing behind the scenes, Colon was rushed for emergency surgery due to a brain hemorrhage and entered a coma that lasted 200 days. The injury left him with severe neurological damage; he was unable to speak for the rest of his life, requiring constant care and supervision from his family.
The fight against Williams raised many questions over the years regarding the safety of boxers and whether it should have been stopped earlier. During the bout, Colon complained about the blows to the back of his head, and referee Joe Cooper also warned Williams, but the match continued. In 2016, the World Boxing Council (WBC) introduced the "Prichard Colon Rule," designed to increase penalties for blows to the back of the head and give referees the authority to warn, deduct points, and even stop fights in such cases.
Colon never returned to the ring after that fight. His career ended at the age of 23, but his struggle continued for more than a decade — until his death at age 33. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) paid tribute to him:
"The WBO family mourns the passing of Prichard Colon, whose courage, strength, and fighting spirit transcended the ring. His greatest fight became a testament to resilience and the unwavering love of his family."
