(CNN) — Former boxer Prichard Colón has died at age 33, 11 years after sustaining life-altering blows to the head during the only defeat of his professional career.
Colón’s father shared the news via Facebook on Thursday.
“I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world,” Richard Colón wrote, adding: “Now he is in a better world.”
Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers,” he added.
Colón was born in Florida but his family moved to Puerto Rico when he was a child. He emerged as a promising young talent, smashing a run of national amateur championships to win five titles, and earning a Youth Pan American gold medal, all before turning 20.
His professional career, beginning in 2013, was similarly successful. The super welterweight competed in a total of 17 matches; he won 16 of those, and 13 were by a knock-out.
Notably, Colón was victorious when he fought former WBA champion Vivian Harris in September 2015, knocking him out in the fourth round.
But a month later, Colón competed against Terrel Williams at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, on a night that proved fateful to the rising star.
Colón, who was 23 at the time, sustained injuries including an illegal blow to the head during his 10-round fight with Williams, Reuters reported the fight’s promoter, Lou DiBella, as saying in a statement after the event.
The young fighter exhibited symptoms of head trauma in his dressing room following the bout and was rushed to hospital, where he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, DiBella said.
Footage of the fight shared online showed Williams punching Colón in the back of the head in the seventh round, apparently stunning him. Colón was briefly examined in his corner, while Williams was penalized for the illegal punch.
Colón was then knocked down twice in the ninth round. He was disqualified after the ninth round, when his corner mistakenly took off his gloves, thinking it was the final round and that the fight was complete, according to a Reuters report after the match.
While Colón survived, his injuries forced him to retire. In images shared by his father online since the fight, he was often pictured in a wheelchair.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) paid tribute to Colón, describing him as an “eternal champion” in a statement released on Thursday.
“With a heavy heart and immense sadness enveloping the entire international boxing community, the World Boxing Council and its President, Mauricio Sulaimán, mourn the passing of former boxer and icon of bravery, Prichard Colón Meléndez,” the organization said.
“Prichard didn’t just fight with skill; he fought with the elegance and pride of carrying Puerto Rico’s flag to the greatest heights,” it added.
The WBC previously named Colón an “Honorary World Champion,” and presented him with the iconic Green and Gold belt that it said he “always deserved.”
The organization also said Colón’s tragedy inspired it to “categorically reinforce safety regulations, driving zero tolerance for blows to the back of the head (rabbit punches),” and to implement stricter medical protocols.
“Rest in peace, dear Prichard. Your legacy and your smile will live forever, in our hearts,” the WBC said.
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