Report: Virginia Boxing Commission Investigating Prichard Colon Tragedy

While fallen boxing contender Prichard Colon remains hospitalized in a coma following surgery to halt a brain bleed that stemmed from his battle with Terrel Williams, it was reported that the Virginia Boxing Commission has launched an investigation into the matter.

Colon fought Williams on Saturday afternoon but suffered life-threatening injuries to his brain during the fracas. Colon and Williams waged an exciting battle, though it was marred by flagrant fouls, retaliation and plenty of controversy. After being rocked by a left hook in the fifth, Colon delivered what referee Joseph Cooper deemed an intentional foul when he blasted his foe’s groin with a vicious uppercut. Cooper docked two points from Colon, but matters between the two only worsened.

Colon was pelted by a thudding blow to the back of his head in the seventh and he immediately clutched his cranium. Colon was eventually disqualified by Cooper at the start of the 10th when his corner cut off his gloves, thinking the fight was over. As it turns out, the absentminded removal of the pugilist’s gloves may wind up saving his life.

The young fighter complained to his corner after the seventh frame of dizziness and while he was in his locker room shortly after the contest, he suffered from additional dizzy spells, vomited and then fainted. On-site paramedics rushed to his aid and immediately brought him to nearby Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Va., where he underwent emergency surgery due to him suffering from bleeding on the brain.

According to a report on Wednesday by the L.A. Times, the state’s commission is looking into, “The situation, the incident and the cause.”

Virginia Boxing Commissioner David Holland reportedly told the Times that was there ringside and at one point in the fight, he had a verbal exchange with someone in Colon’s corner, though he wouldn’t reveal what exactly was said and instead referred questions to spokeswoman Mary Vaughn for the commission.

“It's far too premature to explore who said what to whom and when,” Vaughn said. “[Commissioner] David [Holland] hasn't indicated everything he said. He expressed to [the corners] to get the fighters under control, and not to engage in stall tactics. Right now, we're like everyone else, still hopeful of Prichard's full recovery.”

More details on this story as it develops.