Retired Boxer Prichard Colon Passes Away at Age 33

Retired professional boxer Prichard Colon has died at the age of 33, as confirmed by his father, Richard Colon, on social media. Colon had been in a persistent vegetative state following a traumatic brain injury sustained during a welterweight fight against Terrel Williams in October 2015 in Fairfax, Virginia.

During the bout, Colon reportedly complained of repeated blows to the back of the head and was knocked down once. The aftermath of the fight left him severely incapacitated, requiring family care, a situation detailed in an “Outside the Lines” report. Richard Colon expressed his sorrow on Facebook, stating, “Good morning, my people… He is now in a better place,” and lamenting his inability to fulfill his son’s dream of a vacation in Puerto Rico.

At the time of his injury, Colon was a promising talent in boxing, boasting a professional record of 16 wins and no losses, with 13 of those victories coming by knockout. His resilience and fighting spirit were acknowledged by Gustavo Olivieri, president of the World Boxing Organization, who praised Colon in a statement posted to X on Thursday. The World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Association also recognized him as “a true warrior” in their respective statements following his death.

A 2016 investigative report from Virginia concluded that while Colon’s injury was tragic, no individual could be held solely responsible for the incident. In the wake of the event, his parents filed a $50 million lawsuit in 2017 against the ringside doctor and fight promoters involved in the bout.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn