Boxing: Prichard Colon Has Died; He Had Been in a Vegetative State for 11 Years Following a Fight

Former U.S. boxer Prichard Colon died Thursday at the age of 33; his father, Richard, announced the news on social media. The former boxer, originally from Puerto Rico, had been in a vegetative state for eleven years after suffering severe brain injuries during a 2015 match against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia.

Colon, who was unconscious after the ninth round, was immediately transported to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage, which subsequently caused him to fall into a coma. Doctors saved his life, but Colon had been in a persistent vegetative state ever since.

“Good morning, everyone. I’m sorry to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard. He is now in a better place. I did everything I could to fulfill his wish—his dream of taking him on vacation to Puerto Rico, as he so desperately wanted—but it wasn’t possible,” reads the note from his father, Richard.

Colon was considered a rising star in boxing; up until that match, he had a perfect professional record of 16 wins in 16 fights, 13 of them by knockout. In 2017, Colon’s parents filed a $50 million lawsuit against the ring-side doctor and the promoters involved in the bout, but the case never went to trial.

The World Boxing Organization issued an official statement: “Prichard’s life was defined by courage, perseverance, and an extraordinary fighting spirit. His story transcended the ring and deeply touched the boxing community, which supported him over the years with respect, admiration, and hope. Today, the WBO solemnly joins his family and all those who had the privilege of knowing, supporting, and loving him in mourning his passing. We offer our prayers for Prichard’s eternal rest and ask God to grant strength, peace, and comfort to his family during this time of profound grief.”