Prichard Colón Meléndez, a retired Puerto Rican boxer, was honored as the WBC World Champion and also earned a gold medal in the 64 kg (141 pounds) category at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship.
Prichard Colon Profile Summary
Full name: Prichard Colón Melendez
Nickname: Digget
Gender: Male
Date of birth: September 19, 1992
Age: 32 years old (as of 2024)
Zodiac sign: Virgo
Place of birth: Maitland, Florida
Current residence: Brooks Rehabilitation in Orange Park, Florida
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: White
Religion: Christianity
Sexuality: Straight
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 64 kg (141 lbs)
Hair color: Brown
Eye color: Brown
Mother: Nieves Colón
Father: Richard Colón
Siblings: 2
Relationship status: Single
Total fights: 17
Wins: 16
Wins by KO: 13
Loss: 1
Early Life
Prichard Colón is a professional boxer from the United States who was born on September 19, 1992, in Maitland, Florida to Nieves and Richard Colón. When he was 10 years old, his family moved to Puerto Rico, where he competed in local events. They resided in the small, countryside town of Orocovis.
Boxing Career
His journey in amateur boxing began in his home country, where his physical build and towering height earned him the moniker Digget. He achieved numerous victories, including five national championships and the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship.
In 2012, Prichard competed in the London Summer Olympics but was defeated in the third round. Following the Olympics, he chose to begin his professional career at the age of 20.
Colón made his first professional appearance on February 23, 2013, facing off against Xavier La Salle at the Cosme Betita Salamo Coliseum in Catano, Puerto Rico. He astounded the audience by securing a first-round knockout against his opponent.
Besides, Prichard made considerable progress in the widely-loved sport by fighting a total of seven times between 2013 and 2014. One of his most memorable matches took place on September 9, 2015, at Ricoh Coliseum.
On October 17, 2015, Prichard Colón’s last match was against Terrel Williams at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. This fight, which was not originally planned, took place due to Andre Dirrell withdrawing from his scheduled bout with Blake Caparello. Both the result and the occurrence of the fight were unforeseen.
What happened to Prichard Colon?
After three years as a professional boxer, Prichard Colon faced off against Terrel Williams in a highly-anticipated match. His remarkable improvement had made him a beloved figure in the sports world. The fight lasted nine rounds, with Prichard showcasing his dominance in the first five.
Terrel Williams broke the rules by continuously hitting Colón in the back of his head during the boxing match. Prichard noticed this and informed the referee, but the referee responded carelessly, saying, “You take care of it.”
Prichard was illegally struck several times, causing him to fall for the first time in his professional career, much to the surprise of the spectators and viewers. Colón shared his concerns with the doctor at ringside, mentioning that he was feeling dizzy but could continue to fight.
The match was initially allowed to proceed, but in the ninth round, he was disqualified when his team mistakenly removed his gloves, believing the game had ended. Prichard began vomiting after the fight and was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with brain hemorrhaging. This resulted in him falling into a coma.
For 221 days, Prichard Colón was in a comatose state, bedridden, and dependent on a wheelchair for mobility. He received medical care at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia before being transferred to Shepherd Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Prichard’s parents took legal action in D.C. Superior Court, asking for more than $50 million in compensation from the ringside doctor and co-promoters for their inadequate actions.
After being treated at Brooks Rehabilitation in Orange Park, Florida, the boxer received ongoing occupational therapy. In order to allow for healing and expansion of the brain, a left hemisphere craniotomy was performed to remove a portion of his skull due to swelling.
How is Prichard Colon doing now?
Prichard Colon‘s mother has taken on the role of his primary caregiver. She has been advised that her son is not expected to recover from his unresponsive wakefulness state (UWS), also known as a vegetative state.
As of 2024, Prichard still cannot speak. However, his mother continues to share videos chronicling his progress. In a particular clip capturing his 31st birthday festivities, Colón can be seen smiling as he is presented with a cupcake.
Other videos demonstrate his involvement in physical rehabilitation, dancing alongside his mother, and displaying appreciation for his enhanced physical condition. These videos act as convincing proof of not only his perseverance but also that of his loved ones.
