Prichard Colón Obituary: Former Puerto Rican Boxer Dies at 33 After 11-Year Battle Following Devastating Brain Injury
The boxing world is mourning the death of Prichard Colón, the former Puerto Rican professional boxer whose promising career was tragically cut short after a devastating brain injury suffered during a 2015 bout. Colón died on August 13, 2026, at the age of 33, according to his father and former trainer, Richard Colón.
His death came nearly 11 years after the fight that permanently changed his life. Before that night, Colón was considered one of boxing’s promising young talents. He entered his final professional bout with an unbeaten 16-0 record, including 13 knockouts, and was establishing himself as an exciting super-welterweight prospect.
Colón faced Terrel Williams on October 17, 2015, at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. During the fight, Colón complained about repeated punches to the back of his head, which are prohibited under boxing rules. He was knocked down in the ninth round and told the ringside doctor that he was experiencing dizziness before being allowed to continue.
The bout ended under unusual circumstances when Colón was disqualified after his corner removed his gloves, apparently believing the ninth round had ended. After returning to the dressing room, Colón became seriously ill, vomited, and collapsed.
Doctors diagnosed him with a severe subdural hematoma, requiring emergency brain surgery. He subsequently spent 221 days in a coma and was left with profound neurological injuries that required extensive, around-the-clock care.
For more than a decade, Colón’s parents, Richard and Nieves Colón, devoted themselves to caring for their son. His lengthy battle became widely known throughout the boxing community, with supporters continuing to follow his condition and hope for signs of improvement.
His father announced his death on August 13, bringing an end to a painful chapter that had lasted nearly 11 years. The exact medical cause of death has not been publicly detailed beyond the long-term consequences associated with his catastrophic brain injury.
Before the tragedy, Colón’s professional career had shown considerable promise. He turned professional in 2013 and quickly established himself as an exciting young fighter. His record reached 16 victories before the Williams bout, with most of those wins coming by knockout.
His story also became part of a wider conversation about safety in boxing and the potentially devastating consequences of head trauma. The World Boxing Council later honored Colón as an honorary champion, while fighters and boxing organizations continued to remember his case.
For the boxing community, however, Prichard Colón was more than a symbol of the dangers associated with the sport. He was a talented young fighter whose career had been filled with promise before one night in the ring changed the course of his life.
His family’s years of dedication and care became a powerful testament to their love and commitment. Following his death at 33, tributes are being shared for a boxer whose professional career ended far too early but whose story remained deeply connected to the sport for more than a decade.
Prichard Colón leaves behind a legacy of talent, resilience, and perseverance. His name will remain connected to one of boxing’s most heartbreaking stories and to the extraordinary devotion of a family that stood beside him throughout his long battle.
