Former Puerto Rican professional boxer Prichard Colón has died 10 years after he suffered a traumatic brain injury in the ring, his dad and former trainer, Richard, shared Thursday on social media.
A cause of death was not given for 33-year-old Prichard.
“Good morning, everyone. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world,” Richard wrote in a Facebook post. “He is now in a better place.
“I did everything possible to fulfill 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.”
Prichard was living with the effects of brain damage he sustained in a boxing match against Terrel Williams at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, on Oct. 17, 2015.
Prichard — who entered the fight with a 16-0 record and 13 knockouts just two years after going pro in 2013 — took hard punches to the back of the head and was dropped twice.
Williams was deducted points for illegal rabbit punches in the fight.
Prichard, who complained of dizziness, collapsed and lost consciousness while vomiting in the locker room after the loss.
He was rushed to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to reduce the brain swelling and drain the blood and was in a coma for seven months.
Prichard suffered a 1.5-centimeter brain bleed that gushed in the left side of his head, according to The Washington Post.
He was confined to a wheelchair in a vegetative state afterward.
