Prichard Colón Meléndez (born September 19, 1992) is an American-Puerto Rican former professional boxer, honorary WBC World Champion, and gold medal winner at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship in the 64 kg (141 pounds) category.[1] After a 2015 match with Terrel Williams, in which he was repeatedly struck in the back of his head, Colón collapsed in the dressing room and remained in a coma for 221 days due to a brain hemorrhage. He was then in a persistent vegetative state and unable to speak. He was eventually released from the hospital, and is currently receiving physiotherapy and is now able to talk through the use of a computer.
Early years and amateur career
Prichard Colón was born in Maitland, Florida. His parents are Richard and Nieves Colón, a retired waitress.[2][3] At the age of 10, his father decided to move to Puerto Rico, so Colón could represent the island in competitions. He moved there with his younger sister, while his mother and older brother remained in Florida. The family settled in the rural town of Orocovis, Puerto Rico.[4]
Colón started his career at the Albergue Olímpico in Salinas, Puerto Rico. It was there that he earned the nickname of "Digget", which comes from the word "digger" in relation to his height. After graduating high school, Colón began studying Business Administration at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico.[3]
During his amateur career, Colón gained fame for winning 5 national championships in both the 141 and 152 pound divisions.[5][6] He also won the gold medal at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship in the 64 kg category.[7] He fought at the Brazil Pre-Olympics to win a pass to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, but lost to a Venezuelan fighter, Gabriel Maestre, in the third round.[8]
In 2012, Colón decided to become a professional fighter. He ended his amateur career with a record of 170-15.[9]
Professional career
Colón made his professional debut on February 23, 2013. His first fight was against Xavier La Salle at the Cosme Beitía Salamo Coliseum in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Colón knocked out LaSalle in the first round. Colón distinguished himself for his restless schedule. He fought five times in 2013 and 7 times in 2014.[10] His most notable fight came on September 9, 2015, when he fought against Vivian Harris, a more experienced fighter. The fight was held at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto and ended with Colón knocking out Harris in the fourth round.[5][11]
On October 17, 2015, Colón was slated to fight Terrel Williams in an undercard fight at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. The fight was not originally part of the schedule, but was added when Andre Dirrell stepped out from his fight with Blake Caparello for medical reasons.[12] The fight occurred just one month after Colón's last fight against Vivian Harris, and was the end of Colón's professional fighting career.[10]
Brain injury
Colón and Williams fought for nine rounds, in the first five rounds of which Colón appeared to be ahead. Throughout the match, Williams repeatedly punched Colón in the back of the head despite this type of punch being illegal. During the bout, Colón repeatedly informed the referee, Joe Cooper, about the illegal punches to the back of his head. However, the referee dismissed Colòn’s pleas and told him, “You take care of it.”[13] Colón hit Williams with a low blow, for which Colón was penalized two points. After multiple illegal blows, Colón was knocked down for the first time in his professional career during the ninth round. Colón spoke to the ringside doctor between the rounds and stated he felt dizzy, but felt he could go on.[14] The ringside doctor, Richard Ashby, believed that Colón was going to “shake it off” and cleared him, allowing the fight to continue. Colón was disqualified after the ninth round, when his corner mistakenly removed his gloves thinking it was the end of the fight.[15] Colón's corner claimed he was incoherent and experiencing dizziness.[16] Colón was assisted to the dressing room by his mother, after which he vomited and collapsed. Colón was then taken to hospital via ambulance and was diagnosed with a left-sided subdural hematoma measuring 1.5 cm in diameter with 1.2 cm of midline shift. An emergency hemicraniectomy was performed to reduce brain swelling and evacuate the haematoma.[17][18] As a result, Colón went into a coma for 221 days.[16]
In 2017, the parents of Prichard Colón filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the ringside doctor and the promoters for more than $900 million.[23] The lawsuit has still not been settled as of 2024, and never brought to trial. Prichard Colón's mother, Nieves Colón, believes it may never be settled.[24]
In a September 2017 interview, while discussing his role in Colón's injury, Williams said "I pray for Prichard every day. That's never going to change. I wish him nothing but peace and health. No one wants what happened to Prichard to happen to anybody. All boxers are brothers."[25] Williams is now mostly known for his role in the fight, as opposed to his career.[26]
In July 2018, Colón's mother posted a video of Colón on her Facebook account in which he can be seen taking physical therapy and responding to verbal commands. She also stated that he was learning how to communicate through a computer.[27]
In 2023, his family, particularly his mother Nieves, continue to work with him whilst Colón continues rehabilitation. His speech has not returned as of 2023.[28]
Colon down twice in round nine and lost two points for a low blow; DQ'd after his corner removed his gloves after round nine; Williams lost one point for rabbit punching, Colon suffered bleed to brain and later a coma
