The boxing world mourns the loss of Prichard Colon, who has died at age 33. His father confirmed the news on social media, marking a tragic end to a story that began nearly a decade ago in a Virginia ring.
Colon was once a promising Puerto Rican boxer with an undefeated record when he faced Terrel Williams in October 2015. That night changed everything. During the bout, Colon took repeated blows to the back of his head, strikes that are prohibited in boxing precisely because of their danger.
After the match, he experienced a brain hemorrhage and slipped into a coma that lasted seven months.
When Colon finally regained consciousness, the damage proved irreversible. He never recovered the abilities he once had. His family became his caregivers, dedicating years to his round-the-clock care until his recent passing.
Translation:
“Good morning, my people. I’m sorry to inform you that my son, Prichard, has passed away from this earthly world. He is now in a better place.
I did everything possible to fulfill his wish, his dream of bringing him to Puerto Rico for a vacation, as he had wanted so much. But sadly, it wasn’t possible.
Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. To the extent that you can, please continue to keep us in your prayers.”
The tragedy of Colon’s case has resurfaced in discussions about combat sports regulations, particularly in light of comments from podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
According to reports, Rogan has argued that strikes to the back of the head should be legalized in mixed martial arts. His position, coming from someone who has been involved with the sport for nearly three decades and witnessed its transformation from the early days of no-holds-barred competition to modern regulated MMA, has sparked debate.
The contrast between these two narratives could not be starker. On one side stands Colon’s story, a devastating example of what prohibited strikes can do to a human being. On the other is a proposal to remove protections that exist for exactly this reason.
Medical experts have long understood why the back of the head represents such a vulnerable target. The area houses the brainstem, which controls vital functions including breathing, heart rate, and consciousness. Trauma to this region can result in immediate incapacitation, permanent neurological damage, or worse.
Colon’s case went beyond just the immediate medical emergency. The years that followed saw a young athlete in his prime reduced to needing constant assistance, his potential unfulfilled, his career over before it truly began. His family pursued legal action, arguing that officials failed to protect him when the illegal strikes were thrown during his bout with Williams.
