Matthew McConaughey's Spoken Recap of the Article
Who is Prichard Colon?
Prichard "Digget" Colon Melendez, a former Puerto Rican boxing WBC World Champion, was born on September 19, 1992, in Maitland, Florida. He moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 10 to represent the island in competitions. He studied Business Administration at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan. Known for his impressive 6ft height, Colon earned the nickname "Digget". He had a stellar amateur career, winning national championships and amassing a record of 170-15. In 2012, he turned professional and quickly climbed the ranks with a series of victories.
What happened to Prichard Colon?
In a 2015 fight against Terrel Williams, Colon suffered life-changing injuries. Williams repeatedly hit him in the back of the head, which is illegal in boxing. Colon protested to the referee but was allegedly told to "take care of it." Despite feeling dizzy and nauseous, Colon continued to fight after being deemed fit by the ringside doctor. However, he eventually collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.
Prichard Colon's Diagnosis
Colon was diagnosed with a left-sided subdural hematoma, a bleed on the brain. To reduce brain swelling and clear the hematoma, he underwent a complex emergency hemicraniectomy. He remained in a coma for 221 days but has since awakened and is slowly progressing. The World Boxing Council (WBC) released a statement in 2021, confirming the success of Colon's surgery.
Prichard Colon's Parents and Lawsuit
Colon's parents are Nieves and Richard Colon. Nieves regularly provides updates on her son's progress on YouTube. In 2017, the devastated parents filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the ringside doctor and the promoters of the fight. The lawsuit is ongoing and has not yet been settled.
Prichard Colon's Current Status
Colon is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Florida. The extent of his recovery remains uncertain, but he is showing positive progress.
Deontay Wilder's Emotional Reaction
During a press conference in October 2022, heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder broke down and cried while discussing Prichard Colon. He expressed his support and empathy for Colon and highlighted the dangers boxers face in the ring. Tyson Fury later claimed credit for Wilder's emotional speech, suggesting that his fights with Wilder had humbled him.
Dillian Whyte criticized Wilder and accused him of fake crying after his fight with Robert Helenius.
