Prichard Colon, the honorary WBC world champion, has died at the age of 33, just over a decade after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in the ring. His father, Richard, confirmed on Thursday that Colon died barely a month before his 34th birthday.
Final fight and injury
Colon's 17th and final professional fight took place a month after turning 24. It ended via disqualification, his only defeat, because the corner mistakenly removed his gloves with 17 seconds left in the ninth round following two late knockdowns. In the dressing room afterwards, Colon vomited before collapsing, and an ambulance took him to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia.
Doctors performed an emergency hemicraniectomy after diagnosing Colon with a subdural hematoma. He spent 221 days in a coma after having brain surgery and remained in a permanent vegetative state until his death.
Family's tribute
Posting on Facebook, his father said: "Good morning, my people. I regret to inform you of the departure 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 he so desired, but it couldn't be done."
Born in Florida, Colon represented Puerto Rico internationally. He spent several weeks at Fairfax Hospital before being transferred to the Shepherd Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. He was then discharged and moved to live with his mother, Nieve, in Orlando, Florida.
His father concluded: "Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers."
