Former boxing prospect Prichard Colon dies at 33 after long-term brain injury

Prichard Colon, who entered the ring with a perfect 16-0 record, died at age 33, more than a decade after a traumatic brain injury in a 2015 match broadcast on one outlet. During the fight in Fairfax, Virginia, he complained of illegal punches to the back of his head, but the referee only deducted a point later in the bout. In the ninth round he was knocked down by a blow that was not ruled illegal, and after the round he collapsed, was hospitalized, and diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, leading to 221 days in a coma.

Although he made limited progress in rehabilitation and could use a computer to communicate, he remained dependent on round-the-clock care. His parents sued ringside doctor Dr. Richard Ashby in 2017, seeking more than $50 million for alleged malpractice. Colon’s father posted a farewell message on Facebook, thanking supporters for their prayers.