Prichard Colón dies at 33 after decade-long coma

Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colón has died at age 33, more than a decade after suffering a subdural hematoma during a controversial 2015 fight that left him in a vegetative state. His father, Richard Colón, announced the death on Facebook, saying, "Lamento informarles la partida de mi hijo Prichard de este mundo terrenal. Ahora está en un mundo mejor" Source: ABC. Colón had been in a coma for 221 days and spent the following years in a wheelchair, unable to speak or walk, communicating via computer Source: La Vanguardia.

The 2015 fight

On October 17, 2015, Colón faced Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia, with an undefeated record of 16-0. During the bout, Williams delivered multiple illegal "rabbit punches" to the back of Colón's head, which referee Joseph Cooper did not stop Source: ABC. Colón was knocked down twice in the eighth round and later collapsed in the locker room, vomiting. He was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and underwent emergency surgery Source: Emol.

Aftermath and legacy

Williams was disqualified but never faced criminal charges or suspension; a Virginia regulatory investigation found the referee and ring doctor acted within state norms Source: El Heraldo de México. In 2016, the WBC created the "Prichard Colón Rule" to penalize such illegal blows, and in 2021 he was named honorary WBC champion Source: ABC.

Tributes

Bad Bunny published a heartfelt letter in El Nuevo Día, recalling Colón as "the next" great Puerto Rican boxing star: "Tenía estilo, buen boxeo, IQ, pegada, imagen, presencia y carisma; tenía todo para ser la gran estrella boricua que tanto necesitábamos" Source: El Mundo. The singer said he never lost faith in Colón, who he described as "un campeón de nuestra tierra" Source: EFE.