The Mysterious Disappearance Of Richard Cologne

I assume you mean Prichard Colón, the American-Puerto Rican former professional boxer. After a 2015 boxing match with Terrel Williams, Colón was repeatedly struck in the back of his head, collapsed, and remained in a coma for 221 days. He was then in a persistent vegetative state and unable to speak. He was eventually released from the hospital and is currently receiving physiotherapy.

Prichard Colón's boxing career

Prichard Colón Meléndez was born on September 19, 1992, in Maitland, Florida, to Richard and Nieves Colón. At the age of 10, he moved with his father and younger sister to Orocovis, Puerto Rico, while his mother and older brother remained in Florida. This move was motivated by his father's desire for Prichard to represent Puerto Rico in competitions.

Colón began his boxing career at the Albergue Olímpico in Salinas, Puerto Rico, where he earned the nickname "Digget" due to his height. After graduating from high school, he pursued a degree in Business Administration at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During his amateur career, he achieved remarkable success, winning 5 national championships in the 141 and 152-pound divisions and claiming a gold medal at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship in the 64 kg category. He also competed at the Brazil Pre-Olympics, aiming for a spot at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, but fell short after losing to Venezuelan fighter Gabriel Maestre.

In 2012, Colón made the decision to transition into professional boxing. His first professional fight took place on February 23, 2013, against Xavier La Salle in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Colón's relentless schedule and impressive skills in the ring quickly gained attention. He fought five times in 2013 and seven times in 2014, showcasing his dedication and ambition.

One of Colón's most notable fights occurred on September 9, 2015, when he faced Vivian Harris, a more seasoned opponent. Colón emerged victorious, knocking out Harris in the fourth round at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. This win further solidified his reputation as a formidable boxer.

However, tragedy struck during a match on October 17, 2015, against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia. This fight marked a devastating turning point in Colón's career. Throughout the match, Colón was subjected to repeated illegal punches to the back of his head by Williams. Despite his complaints to the referee, Joe Cooper, his concerns were dismissed, and the fight continued. In the ninth round, Colón was knocked down for the first time in his professional career. He expressed dizziness to the ringside doctor but was still cleared to continue. After the fight, Colón collapsed in the dressing room, vomiting, and was subsequently diagnosed with a left-sided subdural haematoma, resulting in a brain hemorrhage.

The consequences of this match were life-altering for Colón. He underwent emergency surgery to reduce brain swelling and evacuate the haematoma. He remained in a coma for 221 days and endured a long and challenging recovery process. As a result of his injuries, he suffered significant physical and cognitive impairments, requiring him to re-learn basic skills.

Colón's story has had a profound impact on the boxing community, sparking conversations about fighter safety and the need for stricter regulations. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the inherent risks in professional sports and the importance of prioritizing athlete safety. Despite the challenges he continues to face, Colón has become an advocate for fighter safety, using his platform to raise awareness and inspire others.

His fight with Terrel Williams

On October 17, 2015, Prichard Colón fought Terrel Williams in an undercard fight at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. The fight was not originally scheduled, but was added when another fighter stepped out 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 his head, despite this being an illegal move. During the bout, Colón repeatedly informed the referee, Joe Cooper, about the illegal punches, but his pleas were dismissed, and he was told to "take care of it". Colón hit Williams with a low blow, for which he was penalised two points.

After multiple illegal blows, Colón was knocked down for the first time in his professional career during the ninth round. He spoke to the ringside doctor, Richard Ashby, between rounds and stated he felt dizzy, but felt he could go on. The doctor believed that Colón was going to “shake it off” and cleared him, allowing the fight to continue.

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 experiencing dizziness. 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, and underwent emergency surgery to reduce brain swelling and evacuate the haematoma. As a result, Colón went into a coma for 221 days.

His injuries and subsequent coma

On October 17, 2015, Prichard Colón fought Terrel Williams in an undercard fight at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. Throughout the match, Williams repeatedly punched Colón in the back of the head, despite this type of punch being illegal. During the bout, Colón repeatedly informed the referee, Joe Cooper, about the illegal punches to the back of his head. However, the referee dismissed Colòn’s pleas. 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 between the rounds and stated he felt dizzy but felt he could go on. The ringside doctor, Richard Ashby, cleared him, allowing the fight to continue.

After the fight, Colón was assisted to the dressing room by his mother, after which he vomited and collapsed. He was then taken to hospital via ambulance and was diagnosed with a left-sided subdural haematoma measuring 1.5 cm in diameter with 1.2 cm of 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 was treated for several weeks at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia, but was eventually transferred to Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He was moved from the hospital to his mother's home in Orlando, Florida, where he remained in a persistent vegetative state. In April 2017, it was reported that Colón was receiving physiotherapy and was able to talk through the use of a computer. In July 2018, a video was posted on Facebook by Colón's mother, showing him taking physical therapy and responding to verbal commands. As of 2023, Colón continues rehabilitation, but his speech has not returned.

His recovery and rehabilitation

Prichard Colón's recovery and rehabilitation have been a long and challenging journey. After his release from the hospital, he continued to receive treatment and therapy. Initially, he was unable to speak and remained in a vegetative state. However, through the dedication of his family, particularly his mother, Nieves, Prichard made significant progress.

In 2018, Nieves shared a video on Facebook showcasing Prichard's progress. It showed him undergoing physical therapy and responding to verbal commands. She also revealed that he was learning to communicate through a computer, a skill he has since mastered and uses to speak.

Prichard's speech has not returned as of 2023, and he continues his rehabilitation journey with the support of his family. His recovery has been a testament to his resilience and the unwavering dedication of his loved ones.

Prichard's story serves as a reminder of the potential long-term impact of injuries sustained in contact sports. It also highlights the importance of proper medical care and the need for strict enforcement of rules to ensure the safety of athletes.

Prichard's family has been instrumental in his recovery and continues to support him through his rehabilitation. Their unwavering dedication and love have been a crucial factor in his progress. The family has also been actively seeking justice and accountability for Prichard's injuries, filing a lawsuit against the ringside doctor and promoters involved in the fight.

The lawsuit filed by his parents

In 2017, two years after Prichard Colón suffered a brain injury that left him in a vegetative state, his parents, Richard and Nieves Colón, filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the ringside doctor and the promoters for more than $900 million. The lawsuit is still ongoing as of 2024 and has never been brought to trial.

Prichard Colón was a professional boxer who, on October 17, 2015, fought Terrel Williams in an undercard fight at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. Throughout the match, Williams repeatedly punched Colón in the back of his head, an illegal move in boxing. Colón alerted the referee, Joe Cooper, to the illegal punches, but his pleas were dismissed. After nine rounds, Colón was knocked down for the first time in his professional career. He told the ringside doctor, Richard Ashby, that he felt dizzy but that he could continue. The doctor cleared him to continue, and Colón was ultimately disqualified. After the fight, he 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, which caused him to fall into a coma for 221 days.

The lawsuit also highlights the long-term consequences of Prichard's injuries, including his ongoing rehabilitation and the impact on his potential future earnings as a professional boxer. The $900 million in damages sought by the family reflects the severity of Prichard's injuries, the loss of his career, and the ongoing medical expenses associated with his rehabilitation.

Prichard's mother, Nieves, has expressed doubt that the lawsuit will ever be settled, but the family continues to care for him and support his recovery. As of 2023, Prichard is still unable to speak, but he is undergoing rehabilitation and is learning to communicate through a computer.

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