Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Prichard Colon Dies at 33, Years After Boxing Brain Injury
Prichard Colon was a young boxer from Puerto Rico who was very good at his sport.
When he was 23 years old, he had won all 16 of his professional fights, and 13 of those wins were knockouts.
During a fight in 2015, he was hit many times on the back of his head, which hurt his brain very badly.
He had to have emergency surgery on his brain, and after the surgery he slept in a coma for 221 days.
When he finally woke up, his brain was badly damaged, and he needed his family to take care of him for the rest of his life.
Because of his injuries, he could never box again.
Prichard passed away in August 2026, when he was 33 years old.
People in the boxing world were very sad, and boxing groups called him a true warrior.
His story reminds everyone how dangerous boxing can be and why fighters need to be protected from dangerous blows.
Former professional boxer Prichard Colon died at age 33, with his father Richard Colon announcing the death on August 13, 2026.
Colon suffered a severe subdural hematoma after being repeatedly struck by rabbit punches during his October 17, 2015 fight against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia.
He entered the bout as an unbeaten 16-0 prospect with 13 knockouts and was knocked down twice in the ninth round before Williams was disqualified.
Colon fell seriously ill in the dressing room, underwent emergency brain surgery and spent 221 days in a coma, leaving him with severe neurological damage.
The World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council paid tribute, with the WBC calling Colon 'a true warrior' whose story prompted changes concerning rabbit punches.
- Who
- Prichard Colon, a former Puerto Rican boxer, whose death was announced by his father Richard Colon; the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council paid tribute.
- What
- Colon died at 33, nearly 11 years after suffering a devastating brain injury in a boxing match against Terrel Williams.
- When
- The death was announced on August 13, 2026; the injury occurred on October 17, 2015.
- Where
- The injury bout took place in Fairfax, Virginia; Colon was from Puerto Rico.
- Why
- He suffered a severe subdural hematoma from repeated punches to the back of the head, requiring emergency brain surgery and causing lifelong neurological damage.
- Age at death
- 33
- Date of death announcement
- August 13, 2026
- Professional record at time of injury
- 16-0 with 13 knockouts
- Opponent in injury fight
- Terrel Williams
- Date of injury fight
- October 17, 2015
- Location of injury fight
- Fairfax, Virginia
- Injury
- Severe subdural hematoma requiring emergency brain surgery
- Time in coma
- 221 days
