Award-Winning Boxer Dies 11 Years After Brain Injury Left Him Comatose

Prichard Colón, a former professional boxer from Puerto Rico, passed away earlier this month at the age of 33, according to a statement from his father, Richard. Colón’s passing comes 11 years after he suffered a catastrophic brain injury in a 2015 bout against Terrel Williams.

“Good morning, my people. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world. He is now in a better place,” Richard Colón posted on social media. “I did everything possible to fulfill his wish, his dream of bringing him on vacation to Puerto Rico as he so deeply wanted, but it could not be done. Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers,” he added.

Boxer Prichard Colón has died aged 33, a decade after suffering a brain injury during his fight with Terrel Williams pic.twitter.com/fatjYPR7xJ

— Dexerto (@Dexerto) August 13, 2026

Prichard Colón, who was born Maitland, Florida, moved with his father and a sister to the town of Orocovis in Puerto Rico at the age of 10 so that he could compete for the island in amateur boxing. He trained at the Albergue Olímpico in Salinas and earned the nickname “Digget,” a reference to his height of 6 feet. After high school, he studied business administration at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan

As an amateur, Colón compiled a record of 170 wins and 15 losses. He secured five national titles in the 141- and 152-pound divisions and won a gold medal in the 64-kilogram category at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship. He competed in the pre-Olympic trials for the 2012 London Games but did not qualify.

Colón turned professional in 2013 and debuted in February of that year against Xavier La Salle in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Over the next two and a half years he built a record of 16 wins and no losses, with 13 of those victories coming by knockout. He fought primarily as a super welterweight and was regarded as a rising prospect.

On October 17, 2015, Colón faced Terrel Williams in a scheduled 10-round bout at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. During the fight, Colón and his corner complained to the referee about punches delivered to the back of the head, which are prohibited in boxing and almost all sanctioned combat sports contests.

Williams was penalized at least once for the fouls, and Colón was ultimately knocked down twice in the later rounds. After the ninth round his corner removed his gloves, leading to a disqualification loss.

Shortly after returning to the dressing room, Colón began vomiting and collapsed. He was taken to a hospital, where physicians diagnosed a subdural hematoma measuring approximately 1.5 centimeters, accompanied by significant midline shift of the brain.

He underwent emergency surgery, including a hemicraniectomy to relieve pressure and remove the accumulated blood. Colón remained in a coma for 221 days and ultimately regained consciousness, but sustained permanent neurological damage. For the remainder of his life he required constant care, was unable to walk independently, and had limited ability to communicate verbally, though he later used a computer for some interaction.

His mother provided primary daily care at her home in Florida, while his father also participated in therapy sessions and visits. The family shared occasional updates and videos documenting physical therapy sessions and other activities.

In 2017, Colón’s parents filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50 million in damages from the ringside physician and the event promoters. The case had not reached a final resolution by the time of his death.

The World Boxing Council later adopted a rule specifically addressing back of the head punches, referred to in some reports as the Prichard Colón rule, which are intended to increase penalties for such fouls.