Boxer dies more than a decade after fight leaves him with brain injury

Prichard Colón, a former professional boxer who sustained severe brain damage in a 2015 match, passed away at the age of 33. His father Richard Colón confirmed the news in a Facebook post, which did not provide details on the cause of death. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri paid tribute to Colón, mourning his passing and joining the family in their grief.

Colón, born in Florida, began his boxing journey in Puerto Rico, where he won five amateur titles and was seen as a rising star before the high-profile match. In October 2015, during a nationally televised bout against Terrel Williams in Virginia, Colón suffered a brutal back-of-the-head punch that left him momentarily stunned. He was subsequently knocked down twice in the ninth round and was disqualified after the fight, with his corner mistakenly ending the bout.

Colón suffered severe brain injury, spending seven months in a coma and remaining in a persistent vegetative state for nearly two years. Despite the challenges, he made remarkable progress through intensive therapy, regaining the ability to communicate and move with assistance. His resilience and fighting spirit deeply touched the boxing community, earning admiration and respect from the WBO and fans alike.