Former Junior Middleweight Boxer Prichard Colon Dies After 221-Day Coma from Ring Injury

Prichard Colon sustained severe neurological injury that required emergency surgery after a 2015 boxing match.

Veteran boxer Prichard Colon, 33, has died 11 years after suffering life‑altering brain trauma during a 2015 bout.

The Puerto Rican rising star fell into a 221‑day coma after his 2015 bout with American boxer Terrel Williams.

The October 2015 super‑welterweight contest was stopped in the ninth round after Colon’s corner removed his gloves, citing dizziness, and was awarded to Williams by disqualification.

Colon claimed that Williams repeatedly landed illegal blows to the back of his head, known as rabbit punches.

The referee deducted a point from Williams in response to Colon’s complaint about the illegal punch.

Colon collapsed back in his dressing room, was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, and required emergency brain surgery, remaining in a coma.

Upon awakening, the full extent of Colon’s neurological damage was revealed, and he required continuous, round‑the‑clock care for the remainder of his life.

His father, Richard Colon, announced the death on Facebook, writing, “I regret to inform you that my son Prichard has passed from this world; he is now in a better place.”

At the time of his death, Colon—who was at home in Florida with his family—held an unbeaten record of 16 fights, 13 of which were knockouts, before his encounter with Williams.

The Fairfax, Virginia bout has continued to raise safety concerns within the sport.

Williams, a 15‑0 prospect with 12 knockouts at the time, later fought in 2017 and 2019, but said the aftermath of the Colon fight impacted his life and career.

Williams, then 31, expressed deep concern, saying, “My heart and stomach dropped. I pray daily for his full recovery. I cannot savor this victory; I am worried about Prichard,” in an interview with The Los Angeles Times.

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