Prichard Colon death details: What we know about boxer who died 11 years after fight that caused brain injury

Retired boxer  Prichard Colon has died at age 33, his father announced in a social media post on Thursday.

"I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world. He is now in a better place," Richard Colon wrote on Facebook. "I did everything possible to fulfill his wish, his dream, to bring him on vacation to Puerto Rico, as he so longed for, but it was not possible. Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. Please keep us in your prayers as much as you can."

In 2015, Colon, during a fight against Terrel Williams in Virginia, suffered head trauma after an illegal blow to the head. His injuries forced him to retire, living in a persistent vegetative state under the care of his family in the years after the fight.

Here's what's known about Colon's death at age 33.

How did Prichard Colon die?

Colon's family did not provide a cause of death in their statement on Thursday, but for 11 years, the former boxer has been dealing with the repercussions of a traumatic brain injury suffered during his fight with Williams. 

Per ESPN, the injuries Colon suffered in that fight, when he was 23 years old at the time, resulted in him being left in a "persistent vegetative state and under family care." 

The World Boxing Council (WBC) released a statement on Colon's death on Thursday. 

“With a heavy heart and immense sadness enveloping the entire international boxing community, the World Boxing Council and its President, Mauricio Sulaiman, mourn the passing of former boxer and icon of bravery, Prichard Colon Melendez,” the organization said. “Though destiny abruptly snatched away his opportunity to be crowned champion inside the ring, Prichard instantly began the most important fight of all: the fight for survival. Supported every step of the way by the superhuman dedication and tireless love of his parents, Nieves and Richard Colon, the 'Champion of the Heart' became a global symbol of resilience, faith, and dignity."

"Prichard’s tragic accident was not in vain: it inspired the WBC to categorically reinforce safety regulations, driving zero tolerance for blows to the back of the head (rabbit punches) and implementing stricter medical protocols to protect the integrity of all fighters around the globe. President Mauricio Sulaimán, the Board of Governors, and the entire World Boxing Council family extend their deepest condolences, prayers, and a heartfelt embrace to his parents, family, and the heroic people of Puerto Rico during this time of immeasurable grief."

Colon, born in Florida, moved to Puerto Rico with his family when he was a child. He quickly emerged as a young star boxer, winning a Youth Pan American gold medal before turning professional in 2013 and entering his fight with Williams at 16-0.

Prichard Colon cause of death

A specific cause of death has not been released to the public, but Colon has been dealing with life-altering brain injuries since his fight with Williams.

Prichard Colon-Terrel Williams fight

In October 2015, Colon, owning a 16-0 record with 13 knockouts as a professional at the time, competed against Williams in a welterweight bout at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. Following the 10-round fight, which resulted in the first loss of Colon's professional career, the fight’s promoter, Lou DiBella, said in a statement that Colon had to be rushed to a hospital after sustaining injuries including an illegal blow to the head.

After the fight, Colon showed signs of head trauma and "collapsed on return to his dressing room and was diagnosed with a subdural haematoma," per Al Jazeera, and required emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, which then left him in a coma for months.

Per CNN, footage of Williams' illegal blow to the head surfaced online after the fight; it happened in the seventh round, "stunning" Colon after a punch to the back of his head. While Colon was examined briefly, Williams was penalized for the blow. Later in the fight, Colon was knocked down twice in the ninth round, then disqualified for his corner taking off his gloves thinking that the fight was over. Colon had also been "complaining of dizziness," per Al Jazeera.

Per ESPN, an investigative report released in 2016 by the state of Virginia found that "while Colon's medical condition following the contest against Williams is tragic, there is not one action so apparent and/or egregious to justify laying blame on one person." Colon's parents also reportedly filed a $50 million lawsuit in 2017 against the ringside doctor and promoters connected with the fight.

Prichard Colon brain injury

Colon survived after his traumatic brain injuries from the fight, but he was forced to retire from boxing. According to CNN, pictures shared by his father in the years since Colon's injury and surgery often showed him in a wheelchair. The boxer was reportedly diagnosed with a subdural haematoma, which required the surgery.

Colon's injuries resulted in him being left "in a persistent vegetative state and under family care," per ESPN.

How long was Prichard Colon in a coma?

According to Al Jazeera, Colon was left in a coma for 221 days following his emergency brain surgery due to the injuries suffered in his fight with Williams in October 2015.