NEW YORK, NY — Boxing and choosing the sport as a profession comes with the risk of selecting the proper trainer, manager and promoter. The risk also of sustaining a longtime injury that could be life threatening such as damage to the brain.
The risks are a part of what a fighter knows. As they choose to be a competitor, and compile wins, their lifestyle then changes. Fighters know the hazards involved with combat sports including boxing, MMA, bare knuckles, kick boxing, and wrestling.
The mentality is also why they choose the profession.
It’s one-against-one and not a team sport.
Prichard “Digget” Colón, young enough to become a champion, moved from Miami to Puerto Rico, with his father believing that was the proper place to enhance tools of using the jab, throwing the punch and taking one. Before the age of 20, Colón became a national amateur champion with five titles, taking home a Youth Pan American gold medal.
He was on his way towards that goal as a welterweight prospect and to proudly represent Puerto Rico, a new champion joining an illustrious list of Hall of Famers from the island. Then the risk on October 17th, 2015—11 years ago and at the time—a 23-year-old Colón, standing undefeated (16-0, 13 KOs), stepped in the ring to face Terrel Williams. A win would amount to a championship opportunity.
But that night at Eagle-Bank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia turned tragic, the risk with an illegal blow to Colón’s head from Williams. I was at ringside while it happened with others nearby also saying this was detrimental and scary.
Colón sustained his first loss but that was not the story.
Prichard Colón took an illegal blow to the head from Terrel Williams on October 17th, 2015 that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and Colón being in vegetative state – Image Credit: Getty Images
Promoter Lou DiBella would say that Colón was rushed to a hospital after sustaining injuries, the seventh round illegal blow to the head did not occur with a suspension to Williams, who later expressed concern. Colón suffered from repercussions of a traumatic brain injury and resulted in a vegetative state.
He would never fight again and much worse, he was confined to a wheelchair with care thankfully there 24/7 from his mother, father, and family. Numerous rounds of therapy too to hopefully restore some form of a normal lifestyle. A brain injury though and recovery that would be a tough road to climb.
He fought a fight to survive whatever life of normalcy that came, a hero to many as seen on social media posts sent from his mother that never left his side. Fighters of the past and present organized fundraising events to assist with medical costs.
Nieves Melendez and Richard Colón were in the fight with their son Prichard each and every second he needed them to be by his side – Image Credit: The Washington Post/Getty Images
Various boxing organizations including the WBC and WBA did their cause to assist. It was a fight until Thursday morning when we got the news from Miami about his fight coming to an end.
Thirty three years of age, much too young and announced with a message from his father Richard Colón on Facebook. It was the risk every fighter knows when they put on the gloves.
“I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world, NOW HE IS in a better world. 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.”
Said World Boxing Council President Maurico Sulaiman: “We mourn his passing, and icon of bravery. Though destiny abruptly snatched away his opportunity to be crowned champion inside the ring. Prichard instantly began the most important fight of all the fight to survival supported every step of the way by the superhuman dedication and tireless love of his parents Nieves and Richard Colón.”
Sulaiman said the accident was not in vain, it inspired the WBC to categorically reinforce safety regulations with zero tolerance to the head which is known as a rabbit punch. Most officials in the ring are cautious, this one got away as those who regulate boxing are more conscious about blows to the head than the average fan or spectator.
What occurred on October 17th, 2015 at Eagle-Bank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, had major ramifications on the sport of boxing – Image Credit: Getty Images
Hall of Famer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini on November 13, 1982 defended his WBA lightweight title against South Korean challenger Kim Duk-koo in a brutal 14-round bout at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Mancini won by a devastating knockout in the 14th round, but Kim collapsed into a coma from a subdural hematoma and tragically died four days later on November 17, 1982.
That outcome still haunts Mancini, he too knew after an illustrious career that any blow to the head was detrimental for a fighter. Since that tragedy, there have been more unfortunate deaths sustained in the ring. Some a few days later, others months or years later. After the Kim outcome, sanctioned fights were regulated from 15-rounds to 12, all for safety reasons.
The referee would no longer have a say in the scorecards, three judges were positioned at ringside.
No cause of death was released, though the repercussions of a traumatic brain injury had a toll and Colón fought a battle day-by-day. His legacy perhaps will not be remembered about a potential championship career, rather his fight to continue and offer hope to others.
The sports world is mourning the loss of Prichard Colón as the Puerto Rican boxer offered hope to others by never giving up his fight – Image Credit: Getty Images
Regardless, boxing is in mourning again for a hero that decided to take the risk, and many have still petitioned boxing higher-ups to disqualify or ban a fighter that resorts to that tactic. I have attempted to reach out to those in authority and failed to get a response.
Perhaps there will be a day when news of this nature is not reported, rather talk about the good boxing offers for a youngster who walks in a gym, adopts a trainer, and is destined to be a champion.
Many I spoke with in the past two days also expressed that hope and offered prayers.
In the meantime, we mourn and thank Prichard Colón for his fight and bravery to continue. A champion that took a risk.
RIP Prichard as the bell will be rung ten times at ringside. Condolences to family and friends from all here at Latino Sports.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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