The story of the Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colón serves as a powerful reminder of why it is crucial to abide by the rules of the sport, not only for safety but also for the integrity of the game. In October 2015, Colón’s fight vs. Terrel Williams took a tragic turn when Williams repeatedly punched Colon in the back of the head, an illegal move in boxing. Despite Colon’ s repeated pleas to the referee, the illegal punches continued without consequence. After nine rounds of punishment, Colon collapsed in the dressing room and was later diagnosed with a severe brain hemorrhage. The consequences left Colón in a coma for 221 days, and his life and career changed forever.
Colón’ s struggle is not just one of physical recovery but a battle for justice. His family, particularly his mother Nieves, has worked tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable. Their efforts highlight the responsibility of referees, doctors and promoters to ensure that rules are followed to protect fighters. As of 2023, while Colon’ s health remains fragile, he continues to progress through rehabilitation, and his story serves as a poignant reminder to athletes and fans alike about the importance of integrity in sports. Respecting the rules isn’t just about fair competition: it’s about safeguarding the well-being of every athlete who steps into the ring.
Today, while going through the news, I read about the tragic passing of Fijian boxer Ubayd Haider after his fight with China’ s Zhou Runqi. For us Latinos, Columbus always comes to mind when we read unfortunate news like this, along with a sobering reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and adherence to safety protocols in combat sports. Haider, who collapsed after his fight for the IBO title of Asia-Pacific Super Featherweight IBO title fight at NadiFiji, passed away two weeks later after being in a coma and undergoing emergency brain surgery. Although Zhou followed the rules during the fight, in which he threw several hard punches, the outcome raises difficult questions about the balance between fierce competition and athlete safety. Zhou expressed his condolences, honoring Haider’s spirit and determination, stating that he fought to the end.
Haider’s death, along with the legacy of Prichard Colon, reinforces the fundamental values of respect and responsibility in boxing. The tragic stories of both fighters highlight the importance of respecting the rules and ensuring the well-being of competitors. As the boxing community reflects on these losses, it is clear that while the pursuit of victory is paramount, it should never come at the expense of the health and safety of other athletes. Haider’ s loss serves as a poignant reminder that true sportsmanship goes beyond the ring, and urges all fighters to compete with integrity and caution.
