FAIRFAX, VA. — Prichard Colón died at age 33. Richard Colón announced his son's death in a Facebook post on Thursday, Aug. 13.

"Good morning my people. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world, now he is in a better world," Richard Colón wrote. "I did everything possible to fulfil his wish, his dream of bringing him on vacation to Puerto Rico as much as he desired but couldn't. Thank you for so many years of love and prayers."

Nieves Meléndez wrote in a Facebook post that her son "now rests in God's loving arms," and thanked friends "from the bottom of my heart for your support, respect, and the love and kindness you have always shown to my son and to me." An official cause of death has not been released.

The World Boxing Organization paid tribute to Colón, describing him as a warrior to the very end in an X post. "The WBO family mourns the passing of Prichard Colón, whose courage, strength, and fighting spirit transcended the ring. His greatest fight became a testament to resilience and the unwavering love of his family," the organization stated.

Colón was disqualified after his corner team removed his gloves, believing the fight was over. He collapsed and vomited in his dressing room after the fight. Colón underwent emergency surgery to reduce brain swelling and evacuate a subdural haematoma. According to vLex United States, Colón was diagnosed with a large left-sided subdural hematoma, which required an emergent hemicraniectomy to relieve the brain swelling and evacuate the blood.

Colón remained in a coma for 221 days. He remained severely disabled for the rest of his life, unable to speak and requiring round-the-clock care. In 2017, Colón's parents filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50 million from ringside doctor Richard Ashby and the match's organizers. The lawsuit remains unresolved.

Terrel Williams addressed the incident in an interview. "I would never intentionally harm someone like that. I don't place any blame on myself. I prayed about it. I wish the young man really well. It's a hard situation on me and a hard situation on Colon's family," Williams said.

Why It Matters

The World Boxing Council stated that Colón's case inspired the organization to reinforce safety regulations and implement stricter medical protocols regarding blows to the back of the head. The organization noted that Colón's tragic accident drove zero tolerance for such blows to protect the integrity of fighters around the globe.

The World Boxing Council named Colón an honorary world champion in 2021. His case established a precedent for stricter enforcement of rules against illegal strikes, linking his injury directly to regulatory changes within the sport.

Timeline

Colón was born on Sept. 19, 1992, in Maitland, Fla. to Puerto Rican parents. Colón won national amateur titles in two weight divisions and earned gold at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship. Colón attempted to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics but lost in the qualifying process. Colón made his professional debut in February 2013.

Colón suffered a brain bleed during a fight against Terrel Williams on Oct. 17, 2015, in Fairfax, Va. Williams was deducted points for illegal punches to the back of the head during the fight.

Colón complained of dizziness and punches to the back of the head during the fight. Colón was disqualified after his corner team removed his gloves, believing the fight was over.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that Prichard Colón was repeatedly struck in the back of the head during the 2015 match with Terrel Williams. Prichard Colón was diagnosed with a large left-sided subdural hematoma, which required an emergent hemicraniectomy to relieve the brain swelling and evacuate the blood. Colón underwent emergency surgery to reduce brain swelling and evacuate a subdural haematoma.

Further details confirm that Williams was deducted points for illegal punches to the back of the head during the fight. Colón complained of dizziness and punches to the back of the head during the fight. The World Boxing Council named Colón an honorary world champion in 2021. The World Boxing Council stated that Colón's case inspired the organization to reinforce safety regulations and implement stricter medical protocols regarding blows to the back of the head.