Prichard Colón dies aged 33 after 2015 brain injury

Prichard Colón, the Puerto Rican boxer who suffered brain damage in a 2015 fight in Fairfax, Virginia, has died at the age of 33, news that emerged on Friday. The death was followed by expressions of mourning across the boxing community.

Colón sustained a brain bleed in October 2015 during a light-middleweight contest with Terrel Williams in the Washington DC suburb of Fairfax, Virginia. He underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain and never returned to the ring. The World Boxing Council said he sustained “irreversible neurological damage” because of “severe, illegal blows to the back of the head.” Colón was later photographed in a wheelchair.

The WBC named Colón an honorary world champion and paid tribute to his conduct after the injury, saying, “The ‘Champion of the Heart’ became a global symbol of resilience, faith, and dignity.” The governing body said the incident involving Colón inspired it to reinforce its safety regulations and implement stricter medical protocols, and it praised his family for its support in “one of the most moving and outstandingly brave battles for life the world has ever witnessed.”

The World Boxing Organization issued its own tribute, describing Colón as “a warrior until the very end.” The WBO added that his “courage, strength and fighting spirit transcended the ring.”

Before the Williams fight Colón had recorded 16 consecutive professional victories, including 13 knockouts. The bout with Williams was recorded as his only professional defeat after he lost by disqualification when his cornermen removed his gloves after the 10th round, believing the contest to be over.

His death was confirmed in statements by the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Organization late Thursday.