Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colón has died at the age of 33

Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colón has died at the age of 33, eleven years after suffering irreversible brain damage following a bout in which he received repeated illegal blows to the back of the head. The news was confirmed by his father, Richard Colón, via a message on social media.

On October 17, 2015, at the age of 23, Colón entered the ring at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia (USA), to face the American Terrel Williams. He showed up undefeated, with a record of 16 victories (12 by knockout) and was considered one of the most promising young boxers in Latin America.

During the match, Williams repeatedly delivered so-called "rabbit shots", illegal blows to the back of the head and neck. In the ninth round, the Puerto Rican was knocked out and his team hung up their gloves to protect him. In the locker room, he was struck by dizziness, vomiting and loss of consciousness. Doctors diagnosed Colón with a subdural hematoma with irreversible brain damage. Rushed to hospital, he remained in a coma for 221 days. Upon awakening, the neurological and motor consequences prevented him from resuming any normal activity, forcing him into a wheelchair.