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Virginia DPOR: No wrongdoing in fight that put boxer in coma Virginia DPOR: No wrongdoing in fight that put boxer in coma
(about 7 hours later)
Following a months-long investigation into a fight that left boxer Prichard Colon in a coma, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation determined there was no wrongdoing on the part of organizers of the Oct. 17 event at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax.Following a months-long investigation into a fight that left boxer Prichard Colon in a coma, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation determined there was no wrongdoing on the part of organizers of the Oct. 17 event at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax.
The DPOR, which oversees licensing and regulation for a wide range of events and businesses in Virginia, including boxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts, announced its findings Tuesday.The DPOR, which oversees licensing and regulation for a wide range of events and businesses in Virginia, including boxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts, announced its findings Tuesday.
Colon, 23, remains in a coma at Shepherd Center, a hospital in Atlanta specializing in spinal cord injury, brain trauma and other neuromuscular conditions, five months after his fight against American Terrel Williams. The 154-pound Puerto Rican was transferred there after receiving initial treatment at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Colon, 23, remains in a coma at Shepherd Center, a hospital in Atlanta specializing in spinal cord injury, brain trauma and other neuromuscular conditions, five months after his ninth-round disqualification loss to American Terrel Williams. The 154-pound Puerto Rican was transferred there after receiving initial treatment at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
[How a fight turned into a horror for a promising young boxer][How a fight turned into a horror for a promising young boxer]
The bout was part of the undercard to District junior welterweight Lamont Peterson’s victory by majority decision over Felix Diaz in the Premier Boxing Champions main event. The bout was part of the undercard to District junior welterweight Lamont Peterson’s victory by majority decision over Felix Diaz.
According to the DPOR statement, “No on action (or failure to act) can be indentified that is so apparent or egregious to justify holding accountable any one person.” According to the DPOR statement, “No one action [or failure to act] can be identified that is so apparent or egregious to justify holding accountable any one person.”
The statement included results of a report from Nick Christner, the DPOR deputy director who oversees the agency’s regulatory programs and compliance section responsible for all investigations.The statement included results of a report from Nick Christner, the DPOR deputy director who oversees the agency’s regulatory programs and compliance section responsible for all investigations.
The statement continued, “When there’s a terrible outcome, it’s only natural to want to find someone or something to blame. Strong feelings can generate healthy debate, but our judgment as a regulatory body cannot rest on subjectivity or matters outside our legal jurisdiction.”The statement continued, “When there’s a terrible outcome, it’s only natural to want to find someone or something to blame. Strong feelings can generate healthy debate, but our judgment as a regulatory body cannot rest on subjectivity or matters outside our legal jurisdiction.”
[Virginia launches probe into bout that left fighter in coma][Virginia launches probe into bout that left fighter in coma]
Mary Broz-Vaughan, a spokeswoman for DPOR, indicated via e-mail the case remains technically open in the event Colon regains consciousness and is able to provide a statement.
Fight promoter Lou DiBella was not immediately available to comment on the report, nor was a representative from Colon’s camp.Fight promoter Lou DiBella was not immediately available to comment on the report, nor was a representative from Colon’s camp.
Among those deemed in compliance with DPOR regulations, according to the report, were referee Joe Cooper and ringside physician Richard Ashby.Among those deemed in compliance with DPOR regulations, according to the report, were referee Joe Cooper and ringside physician Richard Ashby.
Colon first motioned to Cooper he was getting hit in the back of the head — an illegal tactic called a rabbit punch — late in Round 1. The fighters were in a short clinch in the middle of the ring, and as Colon was ducking to get away, Williams landed a right hand. After pulling back, Colon pointed his right glove at the back of his head. Colon first motioned to Cooper he was getting hit in the back of the head — an illegal tactic called a rabbit punch — late in Round 1.
[Colon had ‘bleeding on left side of his brain’][Colon had ‘bleeding on left side of his brain’]
Early in Round 7, Colon fell to his knees holding the back of his head with his right hand, showing the effects from absorbing a series of blows. Colon then dropped to all fours, putting both gloves behind his head. Colon eventually stumbled to his feet, holding his left glove on the back of his head as he moved to a neutral corner. Early in Round 7, Colon fell to his knees holding the back of his head with his right hand, then dropped to all fours, putting both gloves behind his head. Colon eventually stumbled to his feet.
At that point, Ashby examined Colon and determined he was well enough to continue. Cooper deducted a point from Williams for an illegal punch.At that point, Ashby examined Colon and determined he was well enough to continue. Cooper deducted a point from Williams for an illegal punch.
“There was no one who indicated that an injury persisted after the rabbit punch that caused Colon to go down,” David Holland, the state boxing commissioner, said several days after the fight. “He was checked by the doctor, the referee. He indicated he wanted to go on. The corner indicated after the round that there wasn’t anything wrong, so the fight continued.”
Colon began to experience dizziness and vomiting while in his dressing room after exiting the ring. Emergency medical technicians attended to Colon immediately, and he was transported to the hospital with his condition deteriorating.Colon began to experience dizziness and vomiting while in his dressing room after exiting the ring. Emergency medical technicians attended to Colon immediately, and he was transported to the hospital with his condition deteriorating.
It was the third fight in three months and fifth of the year for Colon. Such fighting frequency is not uncommon for young prospects trying to move up in their division and gain national exposure.
Colon (16-1, 13 knockouts) has undergone multiple procedures since arriving at Shepherd Center, according to updates from his official Facebook page, with the most recent coming Feb. 17.Colon (16-1, 13 knockouts) has undergone multiple procedures since arriving at Shepherd Center, according to updates from his official Facebook page, with the most recent coming Feb. 17.
Colon was disqualified when his corner left his gloves untied ahead of the 10th round, mistakenly thinking the fight was over.