The Boxer's Tale: Cologne's Story And Whereabouts

Prichard Colón is an American-Puerto Rican former professional boxer who suffered a tragic injury during a match with Terrel Williams in 2015. Colón was struck repeatedly in the back of his head, which is an illegal move, and despite his pleas to the referee, the fight was allowed to continue. As a result of these blows, Colón collapsed in the dressing room and remained in a coma for 221 days due to a brain hemorrhage. He was then in a persistent vegetative state and unable to speak. Although he has since been released from the hospital and is now able to communicate through a computer, he has not regained his ability to speak as of 2024.

Prichard Colón's boxing career

Prichard Colón Meléndez was born on September 19, 1992, in Maitland, Florida, to parents Richard and Nieves Colón. At the age of 10, his father decided that the family would move to Puerto Rico so that Colón could represent the island in competitions. The family settled in the rural town of Orocovis, Puerto Rico.

Colón began his boxing career at the Albergue Olímpico in Salinas, Puerto Rico, where he earned the nickname "Digget", derived from the word "digger" due to his height. He started training at the age of 10 and had a successful amateur career, winning 5 national championships in the 141 and 152-pound divisions. He also won a gold medal at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship in the 64 kg category.

In 2012, Colón decided to turn professional, ending his amateur career with a record of 170-15. He made his professional debut on February 23, 2013, at the age of 20, fighting Xavier La Salle at the Cosme Beitía Salamo Coliseum in Catano, Puerto Rico. Colón knocked out LaSalle in the first round, impressing the crowd with his powerful skills.

Colón fought five times in 2013 and seven times in 2014, maintaining a busy schedule. One of his most notable fights was against Vivian Harris, a more experienced fighter, on September 9, 2015, at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. Colón knocked out Harris in the fourth round, showcasing his talent and determination.

However, Colón's career took a tragic turn on October 17, 2015, during a match against Terrel Williams at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. This fight was not originally scheduled but was added when another fighter dropped out for medical reasons. Colón and Williams fought for nine rounds, with Colón appearing to be ahead in the first five rounds.

Throughout the match, Williams repeatedly threw illegal punches, hitting Colón in the back of his head. Colón alerted the referee, Joe Cooper, multiple times, but his pleas were dismissed, and he was told to "take care of it." Despite this setback, Colón continued to fight and was knocked down for the first time in his professional career during the ninth round.

After the ninth round, Colón spoke to the ringside doctor, Richard Ashby, expressing dizziness but insisting he could continue. The doctor cleared him to keep fighting. Colón was then disqualified as his corner mistakenly removed his gloves, believing the fight was over.

Following the fight, Colón vomited and collapsed in the dressing room. He was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a left-sided subdural haematoma, which caused brain swelling and bleeding. He underwent emergency surgery and was induced into a coma for 221 days to reduce the brain swelling.

Colón's injury marked the end of his professional fighting career. He spent several weeks at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia before being transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. In April 2017, he was moved to his mother's home in Orlando, Florida, where he continued to receive care.

As a result of the brain injury, Colón was left in a persistent vegetative state, unable to speak or move independently. He has since received physiotherapy and, as of 2023, can communicate through a computer. His recovery journey, documented by his mother on social media, serves as a powerful testament to his resilience and that of his family.

The 2015 fight with Terrel Williams

On the 17th of October, 2015, Prichard Colón fought Terrel Williams in an undercard fight at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. The fight was not initially on the schedule but was added when Andre Dirrell pulled out of his fight with Blake Caparello for medical reasons.

Colón and Williams fought for nine rounds, with Colón appearing to be ahead in the first five. Throughout the match, Williams repeatedly punched Colón in the back of the head, an illegal move. Colón complained to the referee, Joe Cooper, about the illegal punches to the back of his head, but the referee dismissed his pleas, telling him, "You take care of it." After multiple illegal blows, Colón was knocked down for the first time in his professional career during the ninth round.

Colón spoke to the ringside doctor, Richard Ashby, between rounds, stating that he felt dizzy but believed he could continue. The doctor cleared him to continue, and the fight went on. Colón was disqualified after the ninth round when his corner mistakenly removed his gloves, thinking the fight was over. Colón's corner claimed he was incoherent and dizzy.

Colón was assisted to the dressing room by his mother, where he vomited and collapsed. He was then taken to hospital and diagnosed with a left-sided subdural haematoma measuring 1.5 cm in diameter with a 1.2 cm midline shift. An emergency hemicraniectomy was performed to reduce brain swelling and evacuate the haematoma. As a result, Colón went into a coma for 221 days.

Colón's injuries and medical treatment

During his October 2015 bout against Terrel Williams, Colón suffered multiple blows to the back of his head, resulting in internal bleeding in his brain. The referee and ringside doctor failed to intervene, despite Colón's complaints. Following the fight, he vomited and collapsed in the dressing room and was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain, specifically a left-sided subdural haematoma measuring 1.5 cm wide.

Colón underwent emergency surgery to reduce brain swelling and clear the haematoma. He was then placed in a medically induced coma for 221 days to aid his recovery. During this time, it was discovered that a fragment of his skull had collapsed and was pressing against his brain, requiring a second surgery to replace it with a plate.

Colón's injuries have left him with permanent brain damage and severe physical and cognitive impairments. He has had to undergo extensive physical therapy and is now under the full-time care of his mother. While he has made some progress, he has not regained his ability to speak as of 2024.

Colón's injuries and their impact on his life have led to a lawsuit filed by his parents against the ringside doctor and the event promoters, seeking damages in excess of $50 million. The lawsuit alleges medical malpractice and negligence, claiming that the doctor's failure to intervene contributed to Colón's injuries.

The lawsuit filed by Colón's parents

In 2017, the parents of Prichard Colón, Richard and Nieves Colón, filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the ringside doctor and the promoters for more than $900 million. The lawsuit was filed in the D.C. Superior Court and, as of 2024, has still not been settled or brought to trial. The money, according to Prichard's parents, would help secure the professional care that their son requires. However, they are worried that their son will never recover and return to his original state.

Prichard's mother, Nieves, believes the lawsuit may never be settled. Prichard's father, Richard, tends to their son alongside Nieves. As of 2024, Prichard has not regained his ability to speak. Prichard continues to receive care from his family, particularly his mother, who is now his full-time caregiver.

Colón's recovery and current condition

Prichard "Digget" Colón Melendez, the former super welterweight boxing champion, is still recovering from the injuries he sustained in his tragic fight with Terrel Williams in 2015. After suffering a bleed on the brain, he was in a coma for 221 days and has been left with life-altering injuries. He is currently being cared for by his mother in Orlando, Florida, and is receiving specialist treatment at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Orange Park.

Colón's recovery has been slow and challenging. He underwent a hemisphere craniotomy, a procedure that removes part of the skull to relieve pressure and allow the brain to expand and heal. He has also been undergoing physical therapy and has made some progress, with his family sharing positive updates on his condition. In 2018, a video showed him responding to verbal commands and taking part in physical therapy, and in 2023, he was seen attending a truck rally and brushing his teeth. However, as of 2024, his speech has not returned.

Colón's boxing career is over, and he is now severely physically and cognitively impaired. His mother, Nieves, is his full-time caregiver, and in 2017, she and her husband, Richard, filed a lawsuit against the ringside doctor and the promoters of the fight, seeking damages in excess of $50 million. They claimed that the doctor was negligent and incompetent, and the promoters were guilty of negligence for hiring an inept doctor. The lawsuit is still ongoing, with a judge ruling in 2020 that the case must be tried in Washington, D.C.

Colón's story has had a profound impact on the boxing world, with former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder breaking down in tears while discussing it. Wilder highlighted the risks that boxers take and the potential for life-changing injuries, stating that Colón will never be able to father children or live a normal life again.

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