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Prichard Colón: Puerto Rican Boxing Star Dies After Decade-Long Battle With Brain Injury
By 222 News | 14 August 2026
The boxing world is mourning the death of former Puerto Rican professional boxer Prichard Colón, who has died at the age of 33, almost 11 years after suffering a devastating brain injury during a fight in Virginia.
Colón’s father, Richard Colón, confirmed his son’s death on 13 August 2026. The family has not publicly disclosed an exact medical cause of death, although Colón had lived with severe neurological damage since his final professional bout in 2015.
A promising career cut short
Colón was regarded as one of Puerto Rico’s promising young boxing talents. He entered his October 2015 fight against American boxer Terrel Williams with an unbeaten professional record of 16 wins, including 13 by knockout.
The bout in Fairfax, Virginia, would tragically become the final fight of his career.
During the contest, Colón was struck by punches to the back of his head. One such punch in the seventh round was ruled illegal and Williams was penalised. Colón was subsequently knocked down twice in the ninth round.
After the fight, Colón became seriously unwell. He experienced dizziness and vomiting before collapsing and being taken to hospital.
Emergency brain surgery
Doctors discovered that Colón had suffered a serious brain haemorrhage and performed emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.
He subsequently spent approximately 221 days in a coma. When he eventually emerged, the damage had fundamentally changed his life. He required extensive assistance and around-the-clock care for many years.
His family remained by his side throughout his long recovery, hoping that he would regain more neurological function.
A tragedy that raised questions about boxing safety
Colón’s injury became one of the most widely discussed examples of the dangers of repeated head trauma in professional boxing.
The circumstances of the 2015 fight also generated questions about illegal punches, ringside medical decisions and the responsibility of officials to protect fighters.
A Virginia regulatory investigation subsequently found that no individual action or failure to act could be identified as sufficiently apparent or egregious to hold a person accountable.
Colón’s story has nevertheless continued to influence conversations about fighter safety and the need to recognise potentially life-threatening brain injuries as quickly as possible.
Remembered beyond the ring
Despite the tragedy that ended his career, Colón continued to be remembered as a talented and determined young fighter.
The World Boxing Council honoured him as an honorary champion in 2021, recognising his courage and the extraordinary circumstances of his life after the 2015 fight. Boxing organisations and fighters have now paid tribute following news of his death.
Prichard Colón was only 23 when his boxing career ended. He was 33 when he died.
His story is a powerful reminder that the consequences of a single boxing match can extend far beyond the final bell—and that protecting fighters from serious brain injuries remains one of the sport’s most important challenges.
222 News extends its condolences to the Colón family, friends and everyone who supported Prichard throughout his long battle.
Attached is a News article regarding Prichard colon dies from brain injury
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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