He’s gone after an 11-year battle.
Former boxing prospect Prichard Colón is dead at 33, more than a decade after suffering a catastrophic brain injury in the ring.
Colón’s father and former trainer, Richard, announced his death on Thursday.
“Good morning, everyone. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world,” he wrote via social media (H/T TMZ). “He is now in a better place.”
Richard later thanked supporters for the years of prayers and support.
The announcement ended an 11-year ordeal that began when Colón entered a 2015 fight as one of boxing’s brightest prospects.
He had compiled a perfect 16-0 record with 13 knockouts.
Many within boxing expected the Puerto Rican fighter to eventually challenge for a world championship.
Instead, one night changed everything.
Prichard Colón’s Career Changed During A Controversial 2015 Fight
Colón faced Terrel Williams on Oct. 17, 2015, at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.
The fight quickly became controversial.
Williams repeatedly landed punches to the back of Colón’s head. The referee issued warnings during the bout.
Colón eventually complained about the blows and appeared increasingly distressed. Williams dropped him twice during the ninth round.
Colón then returned to his dressing room after suffering his first professional defeat.
His condition deteriorated rapidly. He became dizzy, vomited and eventually collapsed.
Doctors discovered a subdural hematoma and performed emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.
The Washington Post’s coverage of Colón’s 2015 brain injury detailed the severity of the injury shortly after the fight.
Colón spent 221 days in a coma.
When he eventually woke, he could no longer walk or speak normally.
His parents then became his primary caregivers.
The once-promising fighter spent the remainder of his life dealing with the consequences of that night.
Boxing Prospect’s Final Years Were Defined By Family And Resilience
Colón’s family remained by his side throughout the long recovery. His father frequently shared updates and continued advocating for his son. The boxer himself became a symbol of perseverance within the sport.
The World Boxing Organization paid tribute after news of his death emerged, describing his final years as a testament to resilience and his family’s love.
His professional record ultimately finished at 16-1 with 13 knockouts.
That single loss carried consequences far beyond the result on a boxing record.
It left Colón with permanent neurological damage and changed his family’s life forever.
The circumstances surrounding his injury also prompted scrutiny of the fight.
Virginia regulators investigated the bout and later determined that organizers had not committed wrongdoing.
A separate legal battle followed, with Colón’s family pursuing claims connected to the circumstances surrounding his injury.
His exact cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
What is known is that Colón spent more than a decade living with the consequences of his catastrophic brain injury.
He was only 23 when he entered the ring that night. He was 33 when his father announced that his long fight had ended.
For years, Colón’s family asked supporters to pray for him. Now, they are mourning him.
And a fighter once viewed as a future champion leaves behind a legacy shaped not by a title, but by his remarkable resilience.
