Prichard Colon: A Fighter’s Story of Battle for Recovery and Justice

Last updated on December 19th, 2023 at 11:25 pm

Prichard Colon made headlines in the professional boxing community and not just because of his incredible success in the ring. His story serves as a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the never-ending pursuit of justice, healing and hope.

Early Beginnings: Prichard Colon

Prichard Colon was born in Maitland, Florida on 19 September, 1992. When he was just 10 years old, his father Richard colon made a crucial decision of moving to Puerto Rico. Their intention was simple to allow Prichard a chance to compete in boxing and represent the territory. In order to go to the small Puerto Rican village of Orocovis, they had to leave behind their life in Florida, where they were living with Prichard’s mother and elder brother.

The Amateur Star

Prichard’s boxing career began at El Albergue (Athletic training center) in Salinas, Puerto Rico. At this training area, he was given the nickname “Digget,” which was due to his extraordinary height and a sign of big things to come. Prichard combined his studies in Business Administration at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan which displayed his commitment to both his education and his boxing career.

Prichard made headlines as an amateur boxer by taking home five national titles in the 141 and 152 pound weight classes. His outstanding achievement was celebrated as he took home the gold medal in the 64 kg division at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship.

The biggest disappointment was not being able to represent Puerto Rico at the London 2012 Olympics. Colon advanced to the championship round of the Brazilian qualifying tournament. Sadly, it proved to be a step too far, as in the third round, he was defeated by Venezuelan boxer Gabriel Maestre.

Despite his defeat at the Olympics, Prichard had a record at the end of his amateur boxing career that most boxers could only dream of. He won 170 out of 185 fights.

Professional Boxing

In 2012, Prichard made the crucial choice to go from being an amateur fighter to a professional fighter. His remarkable 17-0–0 amateur record demonstrated his skill and promise. He defeated Xavier La Salle in the opening round of his professional debut on February 23, 2013.

Prichard fought 5 times in 2013 to show his dedication. He stepped into the ring an incredible 7 times the next year, taking it to a new level. But it was his fight against veteran fighter Vivian Harris at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto on September 9, 2015 that proved to be his crucial moment. Prichard proved himself as a rising star with an incredible victory, taking out Harris in just the fourth round.

Tragedy Strikes

In the boxing world, October 17, 2015, was supposed to be just another day but, it quickly turned into a nightmare. The arena was EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia and Terrel Williams was his opponent. Having gone 16-0 since going professional, Colon entered the battle unbeaten. Williams also had an excellent professional record.

The fight was added to the schedule because Andre Dirrell had to withdraw from his match for health concerns. Just one month had passed since Prichard’s thrilling victory over Vivian Harris and everyone was excited to watch this budding talent compete against Terrel.

The Colon vs. Williams fight lasted 9 exhausting rounds. Prichard showed off his skills in each of the first five rounds. But Williams frequently struck Prichard in the back of the head which is not permitted in game and the match took a bad turn. When Prichard voiced his concern to referee Joe Cooper, the unexpected response was, “You take care of it.” Unexpectedly, Prichard lost two points after receiving a low blow penalty.

Prichard was knocked down for the first time in his professional career in the ninth round. He went up to the ringside doctor, Richard Ashbyand said that he felt dizzy but he still wanted to go on. The doctor gave the all-clear to start the fight. Sadly, Prichard’s team mistakenly took off his gloves after ninth round, thinking the fight was over and this led to his disqualification. They said he looked confused and lightheaded.

The Battle for Life

Prichard was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He fell into a coma where he remain for 221 days and could have died if he had continued into the tenth round after suffering a 1.5 cm brain bleed during the battle.

His brain swelled to the point where part of his skull had to be removed. Colon’s injuries placed him in a vegetative state, although this was done to give his brain a better chance to heal. It was informed to his parents that he would probably not make a full recovery and would need 24-hour care.

After realizing that changes were needed, the boxing authorities implemented the “2016 Prichard Colon rule“. This rule aimed to do away with any kind of tolerance for blows to the back of the head, which are known in the boxing ring as “rabbit punches.”

The Long Road to Recovery

Prichard spent several weeks receiving care at Virginia’s Inova Fairfax Hospital following the accident. The family of Prichard sued the fight’s promoters and the ringside physician in 2017. They said that when Colon complained of pain and dizziness, the doctor should to have stopped the fight.

In July 2018, He was receiving vocal orders and undergoing physical therapy. By 2019, Prichard had once again overcome the odds. He was able to stand without help, handle objects, follow instructions and breathe without the need for a ventilator. His parents saw their son’s incredible healing path.

In 2021, He had another surgery to insert plate inside his skull. This was a reaction to a portion of his skull collapsing, which was applying pressure on his brain.

Prichard Colon’s family, especially his mother Nieves is still helping him with his continuous recovery as of 2023. Though he still lacks speech, his journey is far from ended. Nieves shared a video on September 20, 2023, honoring Prichard’s 31st birthday. The video is a tribute to Prichard’s constant backing from his loved ones.

Prichard Colon Net Worth

The powerful story of Prichard Colon serves as a reminder of the costs some sportsmen suffer while pursuing their goals. The tragic brain damage brought a sudden end to the once bright career that brought trophies and wealth.
It is unknown how much Prichard Colon was worth prior to the incident. With 16 professional fights under his record particularly the widely watched fight with Vivian Harris, it’s reasonable to presume that his earnings were increasing.

In addition to seeking justice, Prichard’s family’s $50 million lawsuit aimed to provide him with the 24-hour care he would probably require for the remainder of his life. His boxing career ended which also meant that his source of income and future endorsement prospects ended.

Prichard Colon Height

His towering height of 6 feet (1.83 meters), a physical characteristic that earned him the affectionate nickname “Digget,” a nod to his impressive height.

In a time of extreme hardship, Prichard maintains his composure and unshakeable spirit thanks to the unwavering support of his family, his own solid determination and the amazing backing of a global community. Not only Prichard is a warrior but he is also a survivor and an example to all of us.

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