Prichard Colón

Colón and Williams fought for nine rounds, in the first five rounds of which Colón appeared to be ahead. Throughout the match, Williams repeatedly punched Colón in the back of the head despite this type of punch being illegal. Colón informed the referee, Joe Cooper, of the illegal punches to the back of his head, to which the referee replied "You take care of it."[13] Colón hit Williams with a low blow, for which Colón was penalized 2 points. After multiple illegal blows, Colón was knocked down for the first time in his professional career during the ninth round. Colón spoke to the ringside doctor between the rounds and stated he felt dizzy, but felt he could go on.[14] The ringside doctor, Richard Ashby, cleared Colón and allowed the fight to continue. Colón was disqualified after the ninth round, when his corner mistakenly removed his gloves thinking it was the end of the fight.[15] Colón's corner claimed he was incoherent and experiencing dizziness. [16] Colon was assisted to the dressing room by his mother, after which he vomited and collapsed. Colón was then taken to hospital via ambulance and was diagnosed with a left-sided subdural hematoma measuring 1.5cm in diameter with 1.2cm of midline shift. An emergency hemicraniectomy was performed to reduce brain swelling and evacuate the haematoma.[17][18] As a result, Colón went into a coma for 221 days.[16]

Colón was treated for several weeks at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia, but was eventually transferred to Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.[19][20] Colón was moved from the hospital to his mother's home in Orlando, Florida.[21] As of April 2017, Colón had remained in a persistent vegetative state.[22]

In 2017, the parents of Prichard Colón filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the ringside doctor and the promoters for more than $50 million.[23] The lawsuit had not yet been settled as of 2019, and Prichard Colón's mother, Niéves Colón, believes it may never be settled.[24]

In a September 2017 interview, while discussing his role in Colón's injury, Williams said "I pray for Prichard every day. That's never going to change. I wish him nothing but peace and health. No one wants what happened to Prichard to happen to anybody. All boxers are brothers."[25] Williams is now mostly known for his role in the fight, as opposed to his career.[26]

In July 2018, Colón's mother posted a video of Colón on her Facebook account in which he can be seen taking physical therapy and responding to verbal commands. She also stated that he was learning how to communicate through a computer.[27]

In 2023, his family, particularly his mother Nieves, continue to work with him whilst Colón continues rehabilitation. His speech has not returned.[28]