Puerto Rican Boxer Prichard Colon Passes Away

Prichard Colon, the Puerto Rican boxer whose career and life were devastated by repeated illegal blows to the back of the head during a 2015 fight, has passed away at the age of 33.

Colon was just 22 years old when his world changed forever. Fighting Terrel Williams in October 2015, he was struck repeatedly with shots to the back of the head while the referee failed to intervene. He collapsed in the dressing room after the bout and was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and underwent emergency surgery.

He never recovered. Colon slipped into a coma that lasted 221 days. When he woke, he was in a vegetative state — unable to walk or speak — and remained that way for the rest of his life.

His father, Richard, announced the news on Facebook: "I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world," he wrote. "Now he is in a better world. 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. Please keep us in your prayers."

Before the tragedy, Colon had represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 London Olympics and turned professional to go 16-0 with 13 knockouts. The Williams fight was his first and only professional defeat — a result that cost him everything.