11 years after suffering a brain injury that left him in a coma for 221 days, professional boxer Prichard Colon has died aged 33. Colon was repeatedly punched in the back of his head by his opponent, Terrel Williams. Colon, who hailed from Puerto Rico, dominated the majority of the match, but he lost it via disqualification. He was undefeated 15-0 before losing to Williams. “Good morning, my people. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world. Now he is in a better world,” Colon’s father, Richard, wrote on Facebook on Thursday (August 13).

“I did everything possible to fulfil 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,” he added.

“A warrior until the very end. The WBO family mourns the passing of Prichard Colón, whose courage, strength, and fighting spirit transcended the ring. His greatest fight became a testament to resilience and the unwavering love of his family. Rest in peace, champion,” the World Boxing Organization wrote on X.

Colon complained to the referee about the illegal punches but the match continued. Following the bout, he was helped to the dressing room, where he collapsed. Colon came out of the coma after 221 days but remained in a vegetative state for more than 10 years.

During an interview with The Ring in 2018, Williams said that he doesn’t blame himself for what happened to Colon. “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. … I would never intentionally harm someone like that. I don’t place any blame on myself. I prayed about it. I wish the young man really well,” he said.

Williams took a two-year break from boxing after his match against Colon and returned in 2017. He retired from professional boxing in 2019.