Former boxer Prichard Colon dies at 33, nearly 11 years after 2015 ring injury

Prichard Colon, a former professional boxer who suffered a brain injury following a 2015 fight, has died at the age of 33, his father announced on social media on Thursday, nearly 11 years after the bout left him in a coma following a controversial defeat.

Before facing Terrel Williams in October 2015, Colon had compiled an unbeaten record of 16 wins, including 13 by knockout; the contest became notorious because Colon appeared to take several blows to the back of his head, repeatedly raised the issue with the referee, was penalised twice for low blows and was knocked down in the ninth round.

After the ninth round members of Colon’s corner removed his gloves, apparently believing the fight had ended, but Colon was subsequently disqualified; his condition deteriorated rapidly after he returned to the dressing room, when he began vomiting, collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

Doctors diagnosed Colon with a subdural haematoma, a serious bleed around the brain, and he underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure from swelling and to remove the blood collection; he was then placed in a coma that lasted 221 days.

Although he eventually regained consciousness, the damage left him in a vegetative state; he was unable to communicate verbally and relied on computer assistance to speak, and he was cared for by his family for the remainder of his life.

"Good morning, my people," Colon's father Richard wrote on Facebook. "I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world. Now he is in a better world. "I did everything possible to fulfil his wish, his dream of bringing him on vacation to Puerto Rico as much as he desired, but couldn't. "Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers."