Prichard Colón dies at 33 after decade of brain injury complications

Former professional boxer Prichard Colón has died at the age of 33, nearly eleven years after suffering catastrophic brain injuries during a match. His death was confirmed by his father, Richard Colón, via social media.

Colón, a rising talent from Puerto Rico who held an undefeated 16-0 record, suffered a subdural hematoma and brain hemorrhage during an October 2015 fight against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia. During the bout, Colón reportedly sustained multiple illegal blows to the back of his head. Following the match, he lost consciousness and spent 221 days in a coma. For the remainder of his life, he required round-the-clock care and lived with severe neurological impairments.

In response to his injury, the World Boxing Council helped establish the ‘Prichard Colón’ rule to increase sanctions for illegal blows to the back of the head. Various boxing organizations, including the WBO, WBA, and WBC, have paid tribute to his resilience. Funeral services are scheduled to take place in Winter Park, Florida, in mid-August 2026.