Former Boxer Prichard Colon Passes Away At 33, Nearly 11 Years After Suffering Devastating Brain Injury During Terrel Williams Bout

Former Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colon passed away at the age of 33 on August 13, 2026, after enduring severe brain injuries sustained during a fight nearly a decade earlier. His father, Richard Colon, announced the news on the date.

Colon entered the ring at 23 as an unbeaten prospect, boasting a record of 16 wins and 13 knockouts. The match, held on October 17, 2015, in Fairfax, Virginia, ended tragically when Williams repeatedly struck Colon in the back of the head, known as rabbit punches.

Colon was knocked down twice in the ninth round before Williams was disqualified. Following the bout, he became gravely ill in the dressing room and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered a severe subdural hematoma and performed emergency brain surgery. Colon spent 221 days in a coma before regaining consciousness, but the injury left him with significant neurological damage.

The condition necessitated extensive care from his family for the remainder of his life, ultimately preventing him from returning to boxing. The promising career of the young boxer came to a premature end, highlighting the dangers of head trauma in the sport and initiating discussions on fighter safety and the responsibilities of officials to protect athletes from dangerous blows.