Prichard Colon’s death has brought fresh attention to the 2015 fight that left the Puerto Rican boxer with a life-changing brain injury. Colon died on August 13, 2026, aged 33, nearly 11 years after facing Terrel Williams at EagleBank Arena in Virginia. One question that has stayed around the fight is whether Williams ever apologized to Colon or his parents, Richard and Nieves Colon, for the punches to the back of his head. There is no public record of a formal apology. Williams has, however, spoken about his regret, said he prays for Colon and described how the fight changed his own life.
Terrel Williams never gave Prichard Colon’s family a formal apology
Williams has never publicly said that he formally apologized to Prichard Colon or his parents. However, he has spoken about the emotional impact of the fight and what happened to Colon.In a 2018 interview with RingTV, Williams said: “I pray for Prichard every single day. I don’t wish nothing but peace and health for that man. It’s been hard on me, too. I didn’t want that to happen to him. I was just trying to win a fight. My life changed that night, and it will never be the same.”That was not the same as a direct apology to the Colon family. The Washington Post also reported in 2019 that Williams wanted to speak with the family but believed that conversation would not happen. He said the incident had affected both his and Colon’s lives.Williams had also tried to visit Colon in the hospital after the fight, according to The Washington Post. He said he was advised against making the visit. The report said Williams knew Nieves Colon blamed him for what happened to her son and that he continued to pray for Prichard.The family’s anger remained. In 2017, Richard and Nieves Colon filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50 million over the injuries suffered during the fight, naming ringside physician Richard Ashby and the promoters.
What happened between Prichard Colon and Terrel Williams in 2015?
Colon and Williams met on October 17, 2015. Colon entered the fight with a 16-0 record, including 13 knockouts. During the bout, Colon complained about punches to the back of his head, known as rabbit punches.Referee Joe Cooper deducted a point from Williams in the seventh round after one such punch. But more punches to the back of Colon’s head followed, including one later in the fight that was not called a foul.The ninth round became the turning point. Williams knocked Colon down twice. A misunderstanding in Colon’s corner then led to the fighter being disqualified before the 10th round. After returning to his dressing room, Colon became dizzy, vomited and eventually lost consciousness. He was taken to hospital and underwent emergency surgery for bleeding in his brain.Colon spent 221 days in a coma and never returned to boxing. His condition required years of full-time care. He died on August 13, 2026.Williams’ role in the incident was also investigated by Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The investigation did not result in disciplinary action against Williams, referee Joe Cooper or ringside doctor Richard Ashby.So, while Williams has repeatedly expressed regret and said he wanted peace and health for Colon, there is no public evidence that he ever made a formal apology to Colon’s parents. The death of Prichard Colon has once again brought that unresolved part of the story into focus.