Former Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colón died at the age of 33 on Thursday, nearly 11 years after a fight-ending brain injury left him in a persistent vegetative state.
Colón’s death was announced by his father and former coach, Richard Colón, in a statement on Facebook on Thursday.
“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.
“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. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers,” the father wrote.
Colón, a former junior middleweight with a 16-0 professional record and 13 knockouts, was regarded as one of boxing’s most promising prospects before his career was cut short in October 2015.
He sustained a brain bleed while competing against American boxer Terrel Williams at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.
He was knocked down twice in the ninth round after taking numerous hits to the back of the head, sometimes known as rabbit punches, before his corner stopped the fight.
Colón was transported to the hospital, where physicians discovered a subdural haematoma necessitating emergency surgery.
He remained in a coma for 221 days and never regained the ability to walk or speak, dependent on years of rehabilitation and family care for the rest of his life.
His injury caused a long-lasting shift in the sport.
In 2016, the World Boxing Council implemented the “Prichard Colón Rule”, which mandates a zero-tolerance policy for hits to the back of the head.
In 2017, Colón’s parents launched a $50 million lawsuit against the fight’s ringside doctor and promoter.
He was born on September 19, 1992, in Maitland, Florida, and won an amateur gold medal in the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship.
