Overview
- Colon’s father announced his son’s death on Thursday in a Facebook post that was reported across international outlets and by major boxing bodies.
- In October 2015 Colon complained of repeated blows to the back of the head during his fight with Terrel Williams, collapsed after the bout and was diagnosed with a large subdural hematoma that required emergency brain surgery.
- Doctors say Colon remained in a coma for 221 days after the operation and later suffered severe, persistent neurological damage that left him unable to walk or speak normally and dependent on round‑the‑clock family care.
- A 2016 review by Virginia regulators said it could not identify a single egregious failure by organisers, and Colon’s parents filed a civil lawsuit in 2017 seeking more than $50 million from the ringside doctor and promoters.
- The boxing community, including the WBO and WBC, paid tribute to Colon’s courage and resilience while his death renews attention to illegal ‘rabbit punches,’ ringside medical duties and safety reforms in the sport.