Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colón has tragically passed away at the age of 33, more than eight years after suffering a life-altering brain injury during a match. The announcement of his death came through a heartfelt post on social media by his father, Richard Colón, who expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from friends and family over the years.
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In the emotional Facebook message, Richard shared, “Good morning my people. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world, now he is in a better world.” He reflected on his inability to fulfil his son’s wishes, particularly a long-desired trip to Puerto Rico, and thanked everyone for their love and prayers during their challenging journey.
Colón’s mother, Nieves Meléndez, also took to Facebook to commemorate her son’s life. She conveyed her sorrow, stating that he “now rests in God’s loving arms,” while expressing her heartfelt appreciation for the kindness and respect shown to her and her son by the community.
The cause of Colón’s death has yet to be disclosed. He was once hailed as an emerging star in the boxing world, competing in a bout against American fighter Terrel Williams in October 2015. At just 23 years old, Colón reported feeling dizzy but believed he could continue fighting. In a shocking turn of events, he was ultimately disqualified after removing his gloves, mistakenly thinking the fight had concluded.
Following the match, Colón suffered a horrific collapse in his dressing room, leading to a hospital visit where medical staff discovered he had sustained a significant brain bleed. He underwent surgery and spent an agonising 221 days in a coma, emerging with severe disabilities that would affect the rest of his life. He struggled to communicate verbally but made use of a computer for assistance during his rehabilitation.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) recognised Colón’s bravery in a tribute following his passing. The organisation described him as “a warrior to the very end” and noted that his extraordinary resilience and the love of his family were commendable, transcending the confines of the boxing ring.
Born on September 19, 1992, in Maitland, Florida, to Puerto Rican parents, Colón moved to the island at the age of ten to pursue his boxing ambitions. He achieved remarkable success as an amateur, winning national titles in two weight categories and earning a gold medal at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship. Although he aimed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, he fell short in the third round of the qualifying process.
Colón made his professional debut in February 2013 and remained undefeated with a stunning record of 16 wins until facing Williams. His life and career took a devastating turn after the fight that forever changed him and raised concerns about safety regulations in boxing.
Following the incident, in 2017, Colón’s parents initiated legal action seeking over $50 million in damages from ringside doctor Richard Ashby and the event’s organisers. This case has not been resolved to date.
Terrel Williams, who retired from boxing two years after the bout, expressed his condolences and stated he held no blame for the incident. He mentioned, “I would never intentionally harm someone like that… I wish the young man really well. It’s a hard situation for me and a hard situation for Colón’s family.”
Colón’s legacy is now one that signals the dire risks associated with professional boxing, drawing attention to the need for improved safety measures to protect athletes in the sport. The tributes pouring in from fans and peers alike illustrate the impact he had on those around him and mark a poignant end to the journey of a promising athlete whose life was irrevocably altered in a single moment.