Did Terrel Williams apologize to Prichard Colon’s family for head punches? Revisiting dispute amid boxer’s death
Terrel Williams and the Unresolved Apology: A Retrospective on the Prichard Colon Tragedy
Bharatmorningnews.com – Prichard Colon's passing at age 33 has brought renewed attention to the boxer who knocked him out during a match more than a decade ago. Colon died on Thursday after battling complications that kept him in a vegetative state for eleven years following the October 17, 2015 bout. Terrel Williams, now 42, has spent those years navigating public scrutiny while transitioning into a trainer's role, effectively closing the chapter on his own boxing career.
The Investigation and Aftermath
Williams, referee Joe Cooper, and ringside physician Richard Ashby faced investigation by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation following the controversial match. Ultimately, investigators determined that none of them had violated any rules in their conduct during the fight.
Despite the clean bill of health from officials, Williams has never issued a formal apology to Colon or his parents, Richard and Nieves. The family relationship remains strained to this day, with no reconciliation since that fateful evening in 2015. Williams has acknowledged in interviews that he wished he could have spoken directly to the family, though he believes such an opportunity would never materialize.
What Happened in the Ring
Colon voiced complaints about head punches from the very first round at EagleBank Arena. Referee Cooper penalized Williams with one point in the seventh round after a rabbit punch sent Colon to the canvas. However, Williams continued landing blows to the back of Colon's head, including a significant strike in the ninth round that officials failed to call as a foul.
Williams achieved two knockdowns in the ninth before Colon was disqualified due to a misunderstanding. The sequence of events left both men's lives forever altered.
Williams' Reflections
"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."
Williams shared these sentiments in a 2018 RingTV interview, expressing the ongoing weight of the incident. After securing victory, he stepped away from professional boxing for two years before announcing his return in 2017. The comeback announcement sparked protests from members of the Colon family, who had never fully forgiven Williams for what they perceived as excessive punishment.
Even eleven years later, Williams has not been absolved in the public consciousness. His reaction at the time and his subsequent position regarding the punches he delivered continue to surface whenever Colon's story is told. While Williams has spoken about his grief in multiple interviews, the absence of a formal apology remains a point of contention.
The boxer's journey from a fledgling career to a trainer mirrors the broader narrative of moving forward while carrying the past. For Williams, the night of October 17, 2015, marked not just a fight lost and won, but a life permanently divided into before and after.
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