Prichard Colon death renews focus on 2015 boxing injury

Colon died Aug. 13, 2026, his father, Richard Colon, confirmed. Colon was 23 and had built an undefeated 16-0 professional record, including 13 knockouts, when he fought Williams at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, on Oct. 17, 2015. During the bout, Colon complained about punches to the back of his head, commonly known as rabbit punches, and Williams was penalized for one such blow in the seventh round. Colon was knocked down twice in the ninth round and was later disqualified after a dispute involving his corner before the 10th round. He became ill after returning to his dressing room, lost consciousness and required emergency surgery for bleeding in his brain. He subsequently spent 221 days in a coma and remained under extensive family care for the rest of his life.

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation investigated the circumstances surrounding the fight and released findings in 2016 that did not assign responsibility to a single person, saying the available evidence did not establish conduct sufficiently clear or egregious to warrant doing so. Colon's parents later filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50 million against ringside physician Richard Ashby and promoters involved with the bout. Williams has expressed regret over Colon's condition and said he had prayed for him, while there is no public record of a formal apology to Colon or his parents. Boxing organizations, including the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association, paid tribute to Colon following his death, while the case remains a notable example of the potentially lasting consequences of traumatic injuries in combat sports.

Sources: ESPN, Times of India, World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and official statements from Colon's family.