Puerto Rican boxer Pritchard Colon, who spent more than 200 days in a coma after a controversial fight in 2015, has died at the age of 33 in the United States, his father Richard said on Facebook. The exact cause of death is not known, but it is known that the athlete was never able to recover from head injuries, for which his opponent was not held responsible.
Colon, who competed in junior middleweight, approached the fight with American Terrell Williams in an undefeated status. The fight in Fairfax (Virginia) ended in defeat by disqualification for the boxer when the coach took off his gloves early, believing that the fight was over. Colon's team at that time already feared that he had suffered head injuries after Williams' illegal blows to the back of the head, which were almost ignored by the referee in the ring.
The boxer became ill in the locker room, after which he was taken to the hospital, where a subdural hematoma (SDH) with a diameter of 1.5 cm was discovered in his head. During an operation to remove the hematoma, the young athlete fell into a long coma, after which he was unable to recover his health. In recent years, it has been reported that Colon lives in a vegetative state and is unable to speak. He tried to communicate with relatives through electronic devices.
Colon's father noted in a message about his death that his son had gone “to a better world.” According to him, the former boxer dreamed of going to Puerto Rico again before his death, but his father did not have time to organize this vacation. Colon was born and died in Florida, but spent his childhood and began his career in Puerto Rico.
“Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As long as possible, please remember us in your prayers,” said Richard Colon.
The athlete’s family tried to sue the head doctor of that match, Richard Ashby, and the organizers of the fight, but to no avail. Their $50 million lawsuit failed to advance in court, and there were no reported attempts by the defendants to settle the claims out of court.
Williams also refused to admit any share of blame in the tragedy. In an interview in 2018, he stated that he “does not take any responsibility” and would not intentionally injure an opponent.
The Washington Post noted that Colon during the fight tried to draw the referee's attention to the so-called rabbit punches to the base of the skull and the back of the head that Williams delivered. Techniques are prohibited in most martial arts due to the risk of severe traumatic brain injuries. Williams was eventually deducted one point.
In 2021, the World Boxing Council (WBC) awarded Colon the title of honorary champion, and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) called the athlete a “fighter to the end” after his death.
“His greatest fight showed his resilience and the unwavering love of his family. Rest in peace champion,” the WBO wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
A warrior until the very end. 🥊
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.
Rest in peace, champion. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/gBbBVVlOXN
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 13, 2026
