Ricardo Colón Melendez is a celebrity sibling, best known as the brother of former American boxer and honorary WBC Champion Prichard Colón. Prichard is also a gold medal winner at the 2010 Panamerican Youth Championship in the 64 kg/ 141 pounds category. Unfortunately, during a 2015 fight against Terrel Williams, Prichard suffered a brain injury that left him in a persistent vegetative state. Keep on reading to learn more about Prichard, Ricardo, and the rest of their family.
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Ricardo Colón Melendéz Bio
Ricardo Colón Melendéz was born in Maitland, florida to Richard and Nieves Colón. His mother is a retired waitress. Ricardo lives a simple life away from the limelight; hence it is not a wonder that most of his details are unavailable to the public. Plus his first name is common, and so his search results may get mixed up with a similar name, like somebody called Ricardo Cintron. It also needs to be clarified what he does for a living.
Ricardo Colón Melendéz Siblings
Ricardo is the oldest son of Richard and Nieves; his younger siblings are brother Prichard Colón and sister Natalie Colón Melendez. Natalie was born on 16 February 1995 and maintained a low profile as well.
Ricardo Colón Melendez’s Brother
Prichard Colon was born on 19 September 1992 in Maitland, Florida. When he was 10, Prichard, his younger sister, and their father moved to Puerto Rico for him to represent the island in competitions. They left their mother and older brother back in Florida and settled in the rural town of Orocovis, Puerto Rico.
Prichard began his career at the Albergue Olimpico in Salinas, where he earned his nickname “Digget” concerning his height. During his amateur career, Prichard won 5 national championships in the 141 and 152-pound categories. He also won a gold medal at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship in the 64 kg category. Prichard ended his amateur career in 2012 to become a professional fighter.
His debut as a professional fighter was on 23 February 2013 against Xavier La Sella at the Cosme Beitia Salamo Coliseum in Catano, Puerto Rica. He fought five times in 2013 and seven times in 2014, with his notable fight in September 2015 against Vivian Harris, who was more experienced. Prichard knocked Harris out in the fourth round.
On 17 October 2015, Prichard was slated to fight Terrel Williams at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. The duo fought for nine rounds, and Prichard led in the first five. During the match, Williams repeatedly punched Prichard in the back of the head illegally. After he informed the coach of the illegal punches, Prichard was told to “take care of it.” It was the first time he was knocked down in his professional career.
After the fight, he vomited and was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with brain bleeding. What followed was a 221-days coma, being treated in different hospitals. He was later moved to his mother’s home in Orlando. As of April 2017, Prichard remains in a persistent vegetative state.
Although his parents filed a lawsuit in 2017 seeking damages of more than $50 million, it has not yet been settled. Prichard’s mother uploads videos of his progress on YouTube.
Wrapping Up
Ricardo and his family suffered a massive blow when his brother suffered irreparable brain damage.
