Prichard Colón is being honored all over the boxing world following his shocking demise at age 33. Fans adored the former Puerto Rican boxer, long after he left the sport. Truly, losing him for good, has taken a toll on fans and well-wishers around the world.
His family confirmed the devastating news on August 13. Following this announcement, several messages poured in from boxing organizations and former fighters who knew the boxer.
Many of those tributes highlighted Colón’s resilient spirit and the support that surrounded him. They also brought renewed attention to just how promising his boxing career once was.
Prichard Colón’s Parents Thank Fans For Support Over The Years
Colón’s father, Richard Colón, first took to social media to announce his son’s demise a few hours ago. In a Facebook message, he relayed how grateful he was to fans around the world for their continued support for Prichard and his family over the years.
According to People, Richard also reflected on something he has always wanted to do for his son but was unable to. Before his demise, Colón wanted to take a trip to Puerto Rico, however, he was unable to accomplish it.
Richard ended his message with a simple expression of gratitude. He thanked supporters for “so many years of love and prayers.”
Colón’s mother, Nieves Meléndez, also shared a touching message of her own. She expressed that her son was now resting peacefully and also thanked everyone for being kind to them. Colón’s parents were a huge part of his life, as they often appeared alongside him in events.
Meléndez devotion in particular became closely associated with the former boxer’s story. She remained by his side throughout the years even after his career came to an end and supporters sent messages and prayers from around the world.
Boxing World Remembers Colón As A ‘True Warrior’
The tributes to the boxing champion quickly spread past his family, as other well wishers weighed in too.
The World Boxing Organization also honored the former fighter after the news of his demise broke. The organization described him as “a warrior to the very end” and praised his courage and fighting throughout his public career.
Also, the WBC paid tribute to the man it had previously named an honorary champion. This new remembrance refers to Colón as an “eternal champion” and looks back at the professional record he built before his career came to an end.
Former WBO president Francisco Valcárcel was one of the Puerto Rican figures who spoke about Colón’s amazing talent.
El País reported that Valcárcel remembered the athlete as part of an elite group of Puerto Rican prospects. He said Colón had shown real prospects and that he began his professional career impressively. Professional boxer Jeyvier Cintrón also shared a personal memory of the former boxer.
Cintrón and Colón attended school together and remembered him as a determined fighter.
Colón Was Once Seen As A Future World Champion
Before Colón’s became known to a wider audience, he was consistently building a reputation as one of Puerto Rico’s talented boxer.
He was born in September 1992, in Maitland, Florida. As a child, he relocated to Puerto Rico to join the island’s boxing community where he competed fiercely. Despite being a rookie boxer, he won multiple national titles and earned himself a gold medal at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship.
In 2013, Colón’s began to go mainstream after winning his first sixteen professional fights. Thirteen of those fights happened by knockout.
The professional boxer was on his way to bigger feats, however, his career was shortlived after a fight with Terrel Williams in October 2015. Colón suffered a serious injury and that marked the end of his fighting career.
Despite being out of the game professionally, he was still a force to be reckoned with. The recent news of his demise comes as a shock to millions around the world who will no doubt miss him.
RIP to Prichard Colón!
