Boxing

Subterms

    More stories

    • 113 Shares149 Views

      in Boxing

      Who is Prichard Colon and what happened to him?

      by

      PRICHARD “Digget” Colon Melendez is a former Puerto Rican boxing WBC World Champion.The impressive boxer was a respected superwelterweight, claiming victory at his opening 16 professional fights and headed for a promising career.
      Prichard Colon exchanged punches with Terrel Williams in the 2015 fight that would sadly leave him with life-changing injuriesCredit: Getty
      Who is Prichard Colon?
      Prichard Colon Melendez was born on September 19, 1992, in Maitland, Florida, but moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 10 to represent the island in competitions.
      He also studied Business Administration at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan.
      The rising star earned the nickname “Digget”, which comes from the word “digger”, due to his 6ft height.
      He is an honorary WBC World Champion and bagged a gold medal in the 64kg category at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship.

      During his amateur career, Colon won five national championships in both the 141 and 152-pound divisions.
      By the end of his amateur fights, he had a staggering 170-15 record behind him.
      Colon turned professional in 2012 and boxed his way to glory in his first 16 fights, before losing one and drawing another.
      He was known for his fast-paced career, jumping into the ring five times in 2013, and a whopping seven times in 2014.
      Most read in Boxing
      The fight that put him on the map came in 2015 when he went up against more experienced fighter, Vivian Harris.
      Colon knocked Harris out in the fourth round.
      This impressive record set the 31-year-old up for a promising career in the sport.
      What happened to Prichard Colon?
      Just months after his victory against Harris, Colon boxed Terrel Williams.
      The fight had not been scheduled but went ahead due to another boxer, Andre Dirrell, cancelling his fight with Blake Caparello.
      In the ninth round, Colon was hit repeatedly in the back of the head by Williams, which is illegal in the high-risk sport.
      When Colon protested to the referee he was allegedly told: “You take care of it.”
      Shortly afterward, Colon collapsed to the shock of his fans, after leading in the first five rounds.
      He complained about feeling dizzy and nauseous but continued to throw punches after the ringside doctor deemed him fit to go on.
      The young athlete vomited and collapsed in the dressing room afterwards before being rushed to hospital.
      What was Prichard Colon’s diagnosis?
      The boxer was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain, more specifically a left-sided subdural haematoma measuring 1.5cm wide.
      He underwent a complex emergency hemicraniectomy to reduce brain swelling and clear the haematoma.
      Colon remained in a coma for 221 days, but is now awake and slowly recovering.
      In 2021, the World Boxing Council (WBC) released a statement about Colon’s surgery.
      The WBC told Boxing Insider: “In recent weeks it was found a collapse of his skull was pressing on the brain, for which a fragment had to be removed to be replaced by a plate.
      “Fortunately, the operation went well.”
      Who are Prichard Colon’s parents?
      His parents are mom Nieves, a retired waitress, and Richard Colon, a retired serviceman.
      Nieves regularly provides updates on YouTube on the boxer’s progress.
      She recently posted a video celebrating the former boxer’s 31st birthday.
      Colon is seen smiling in response to his cake, and he was also gifted a signed boxing glove from rapper Daddy Yankee.
      Fans reacted to the heartwarming clip by offering up well wishes for his birthday and his recovery.
      In February 2023, the devoted mother posted a video titled “Prichard Colon-Melendez 5K run for the woods” which showed Colon on a trail in a specially adapted mobility chair.
      Another clip showed him standing with support.
      In 2017 the devastated parents filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the ringside doctor and the promoters of the fight for more than $50million.
      In 2021, promoters DiBella Entertainment and Headbangers, Inc, were dismissed from the suit.
      As of April 2023, the lawsuit has not yet been settled.
      Where is Prichard Colon now?
      Colon’s recovery is being handled by specialists at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Orange Park, Florida, reports thenetline.com.
      It is unclear how much the former sportsman will recover but so far he is showing good progress.
      In June 2021 Nieves posted to Facebook updates of her son’s progress and thanked people for their prayers and support.
      She said: “God bless you lots of blessings.”
      Prichard Colon celebrates after defeating Daniel Calzada in a TKO during the Premier Boxing Champions Junior Middleweight bout at Barclays Center on April 11, 2015Credit: Getty
      What did Deontay Wilder say about Prichard Colon?
      Deontay Wilder discussed the dangers of boxing in a press conference in October 2022 after his fight with Robert Helenius.
      The Bronze Bomber broke down and cried when discussing Colon at his post-fight presser.
      The boxer had just won the fight in New York with a first-round KO of Helenius.
      Talk Sport reported he said: “Look at Colon, Prichard Colon.
      “This man didn’t have no kids – –
      “Y’all don’t f****** understand what we go through man.
      “And I don’t even know him like that, but I’ll always be an advocate for us.
      “This man will never know what it feels like to be somebody’s father and that’s the most precious thing in the world to be somebody’s father.
      “But he’ll never be nobody’s father man.
      “This man will never have a natural living again because he got in the ring to support his family.
      “Now his family have gotta take care of him for the rest of his life.”
      This comes as Tyson Fury has taken credit for Deontay Wilder’s emotional post-fight speech after beating Robert Helenius.
      Fury, who drew and twice knocked out Wilder, reacted by suggesting he was the one who humbled his heavyweight rival.
      He told True Geordie: “Maybe I knocked a bit of sense into him and maybe he’s been humbled from the three beatings I gave the sucker.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “He’s a former knockout victim of the Gypsy King.”
      Meanwhile, Dillian Whyte slammed Wilder and accused him of fake crying after his fight with Helenius. More

    • 275 Shares149 Views

      in Boxing

      Deontay Wilder in career move as ex-world champion boxer signs up for huge reality TV show and is in UK for filming

      by

      DEONTAY WILDER is set to take part in reality game show The Traitors US.A host of celebrities have joined the cast including the former speaker of the House of Commons and Arsenal fan John Bercow.
      Deontay Wilder will feature in The Traitors USCredit: Getty
      The pair may have to work together to uncover who is the traitor amongst the group, and who is not.
      Wilder and his co-stars will take part in games during the day, and an elimination every night, before the traitors kill (remove from the game with a slip of paper) another player before breakfast.
      The show is filmed at a remote Scottish castle so Wilder is set to land in the UK.
      It is a significant change of pace for the former heavyweight champion, who has been tipped to fight Anthony Joshua.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      Wilder, 37, has not fought since devastatingly knocking out Robert Helenius in October last year.
      But he could step into the ring with Joshua next after the pair reportedly agreed terms.
      However a location and venue is still yet to be decided on, which means the grudge match will likely be pushed back to 2024.
      That provides Wilder with enough time to film The Traitors – should he go all the way and win the competition.
      Most read in Boxing
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Wilder also had a war of words with Andy Ruiz Jr over the summer as they negotiated a potential fight.
      The Bronze Bomber threatened to “splatter” Ruiz’s brain in a chilling warning.
      He said: “With my team, with your team, and now it’s time to put it all together.
      “Who acting scared? It isn’t me. You know, because what y ‘all talk about is unreasonable. Let’s face it, and it is what it is.
      “So when you serious, holla at me until then. Do what you do, bro. You got a lot of weight to lose, man. You can talk that talk. But only a few walk that walk.
      “You know what I mean? So if you want to see what a knockout feels like, get your brain splattered. Holla at me, bro. I’m not far.” More

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Boxing

      Joe Joyce faces painful repeat if he goes into Zhilei Zhang rematch with same disastrous strategy

      by

      IF Joe Joyce has been unable to work out a new strategy in the last five months, there’s every chance he finds history painfully repeating itself on Saturday night.In April, the Juggernaut disastrously appeared to have just a single game plan when he fought Zhilei Zhang.
      Joe Joyce must change his tactics or else risk another defeat to Zhilei ZhangCredit: Rex
      Joyce knows he must win the rematch to revive his world heavyweight title dreamCredit: Rex
      That seemed to be to keep crashing head-on with the Chinese giant’s accurate, powerful southpaw left hand.
      Zhang simply couldn’t miss him and the inevitable result was that Joyce experienced a shock six-round defeat.
      It meant Joyce not only lost his coveted unbeaten record but also any ambitions he had to challenge Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk for their world heavyweight titles lay in tatters.
      He certainly made it easy for Zhang, who couldn’t believe his luck as Joyce never once deviated from plodding forward in a straight line without moving his head and just soaking up the non-stop punishment.
      READ MORE ON BOXING
      Confucius said 2,500 years ago: “Success depends upon previous preparation and without such preparation there is sure to be a failure.”
      I’m not sure whether Zhang is aware of those wise words that came from the lips of China’s paragon of sages.
      But I’m sure he did his homework and spent several hours watching tapes of Joyce’s fights.
      And it certainly wouldn’t have taken him long to realise — the Putney arts graduate has had only 16 fights in a six-year pro career — is really a one-trick pony.
      Most read in Boxing
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Joyce put his disappointing performance down to a bad night at the office and he immediately invoked the return fight clause.
      He hopes to redeem himself in the eyes of his fans and put himself firmly back into world title contention when he goes back to face Zhang for a second time at Wembley’s OVO Arena.
      It’s a pity Joyce is so predictable because he has everything else a world champion needs.
      He’s a dedicated, super-fit athlete, never gives less than value-for-money, has a KO left hook, a big heart and a chin made out of the kind of concrete that every school should be built with. 
      Let’s hope he gets inspiration from Lennox Lewis and Anthony Joshua, who both bounced back from  surprise losses.
       Lewis got immediate revenge over Hasim Rahman while Joshua did the same against Andy Ruiz Jr.
      But there have been calamitous attempts at reparations in the heavyweight division.
      The most catastrophic was Floyd Patterson’s endeavour to get his world title back from Sonny Liston  60 years ago.
      Patterson lasted only 2min 6sec of the first round in their first fight and just four seconds longer in the return.  
       Joyce turned 38 on Tuesday and it will be a mini-miracle if he can change the habit of a lifetime when the first bell sounds.
       I fear there will be no re-Joyceing as I expect a repeat Zhang victory — this time on points.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      And if that’s the case, Joyce should hang up the gloves and find work on a less dangerous canvas by taking out the brushes and paint portraits for a living. 
      But one thing’s for sure, whatever happens, you won’t see Joyce being counted out on one knee after going down from a jab like ‘Dangerous’ Dan Dubois did against Ukrainian champion Usyk in Poland last month. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Watch OnlyFans star and Misfits boxer Elle Brooke CARRIED off stage by security after crashing press conference

      by

      ELLE BROOKE was forced to watch from the sides after gatecrashing a Misfits boxing press conference and being removed from stage in a stunning manner.The OnlyFans star, who is one of the most recognisable faces in the influencer boxing scene, turned up at the face-off between AJ Bunker and Little Bellsy.
      AJ Bunker faced off with Little Bellsy ahead of a Misfits boxing fightCredit: https://twitter.com/MisfitsBoxing
      Elle Brooke then stormed the stageCredit: https://twitter.com/MisfitsBoxing
      But security held her backCredit: https://twitter.com/MisfitsBoxing
      A host of other crossover events are also scheduled for the fight night for the ninth edition of the Misfits x DAZN: X Series.
      However, Elle seemed to take a particular interest in this fight due to herhistory with Bunker, having beaten her in July 2022.
      As Bunker faced off with Bellsy, with KSI holding a belt in the background, Elle stormed onto the stage.
      But she did not make it far at all and was quickly blocked and removed by security, with the guard actually CARRYING her off stage as she yelled “help”.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      Fans were less than impressed by the stunt.
      One Twitter user commented: “That was painfully staged.”
      A second said: “Most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen.”
      Elle was then carried off stageCredit: https://twitter.com/MisfitsBoxing
      Elle could be heard yelling ‘help’ as she was carried offCredit: https://twitter.com/MisfitsBoxing
      “The acting in this is worse than the actual fights,” wrote a third.
      Most read in Boxing
      A fourth remarked: “Absolute circus 😂🎪.”
      While a fifth added: “So cringe.”
      Bunker takes on Bellsy on Saturday with ringwalks expected to be at 7:45pm UK time.
      She was taken to the side of the stageCredit: https://twitter.com/MisfitsBoxing
      Elle is one of the most recognisable faces in the influencer boxing gameCredit: PA More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Watch Conor Benn ring out PINTS of sweat from T-shirt after going for pre-fight run ahead of Rodolfo Orozco bout

      by

      CONOR BENN has been working hard ahead of his bout with Rodolfo Orozco in Florida.The British boxer went for a pre-fight run and had worked up a heavy sweat in the heat.
      Conor Benn went for a pre-fight run in FloridaCredit: Instagram @conorbennofficial
      After finishing his run Benn took off his T-shirtCredit: Instagram @conorbennofficial
      The boxer rung out pints of sweat from his topCredit: Instagram @conorbennofficial
      Benn, 26, posted a video to social media of his finishing his run in which he rings pints of sweat out of his T-shirt.
      He captioned the video: “You got to grind like you’re hungry, no matter how much you’re eating!”
      Benn uploaded the video to his Instagram account with 733k followers.
      Fans loved the clip as they flocked to the comment section.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      One commented: “Let’s go champ.”
      A second wrote: “Beast 🦁🤝.”
      A third said: “Let’s go my boy!”
      A fourth added: “You look in proper good nick son.”
      Most read in Boxing
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Another joked: “Pouring rain!!”
      Benn was due to fight Chris Eubank Jr in October 2022 however the bout was cancelled after he failed two voluntary drug tests.
      His last fight was in April 2022 in which he beat Chris Van Heerden in Manchester.
      Benn is not currently licensed to compete in the UK due to the ongoing and controversial doping saga.
      Benn will look to restart his boxing career in Orlando, Florida as he takes on Rodolfo Orozco on the undercard of Richardson Hitchins’ super-lightweight clash with Jose Zepeda.
      The Brit holds a valid license from the Florida Athletic Commission, so he will not be violating any rules to fight on Saturday. More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      Eddie Hearn defends shock Conor Benn return this weekend despite Brit not being licensed to fight in UK over doping saga

      by

      EDDIE HEARN has defended his decision to book Conor Benn amid his ongoing doping scandal.Benn, 26, has been sidelined for the last year following two failed voluntary drug tests ahead of his cancelled clash with Chris Eubank Jr but returns to the ring on Saturday night.
      Conor Benn makes his return to the ring in Orlando this weekendCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
      Benn hasn’t fought since last April after failing two drug tests before his cancelled clash with Chris Eubank Jr last OctoberCredit: GETTY
      Promoter Eddie Hearn has defended the decision to book Benn while he’s ineligible box in the UKCredit: GETTY
      He was cleared of intentionally ingesting the banned fertility drug clomiphene – which can elevate testosterone levels in men – by the National Anti-Doping Panel but the verdict was appealed by UKAD and British Boxing Board of Control.
      Benn ripped up his BBBoC license over his row with the governing body, which didn’t have the power to suspend him as they don’t recognise VADA testing.
      Benn was provisionally suspended by UKAD but the ban was lifted in August, which Hearn insists is enough justification to have him back in action this weekend.
      During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “Yeah, absolutely [he could fight in the UK. He’s cleared to fight. He is no longer suspended.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “I mean this is something that people keep sort of forgetting to talk about.
      “He went through a process, his suspension was lifted, he was cleared to box.
      “And in this process itself, what people I think probably don’t know is the ABC, which is the governing body of America would not let him fight unless he was cleared to fight in the UK.
      “I.e. his suspension was lifted.
      Most read in Boxing
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      “So the ABC actually spoke to the British Boxing Board of Control to confirm that he was no longer suspended.
      “Once they were aware of that and that was confirmed, they cleared him to fight.
      “Then the Texas Athletic Commission where he is licensed then cleared him to fight.”
      Hearn understands the scrutiny surrounding Benn’s return against Mexican Rodolfo Orozco, so much so that he’s subjected him to rigorous testing.
      The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “He’s had to undergo multiple testing procedures during this camp as well over the last 12 weeks.
      “Florida wanted to see all of that and once they saw it, and they actually requested additional testing which occurred as well — he’s cleared to fight.
      “I saw a lot of things saying, ‘Oh he’s hopping around the world to fight.’
      Conor Benn faces Rodolfo Orozco in Orlando on Saturday nightCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
      “No, the ABC of America spoke to the British Boxing Board of Control to confirm that he’s not suspended and ultimately he is clear to fight.”
      Hearn insists the short-notice booking of Benn had nothing to do with the fact the Brit can’t box in his home nation.
      The 44-year-old said: “He’s already licensed with the Texas Commission as he has been for the last couple of months.
      “There was a slot available on this show. I expect his next fight to be in the UK.
      “In fact, as soon as we finish this fight we’ll be putting in a request for him to box in December.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “We have shows all around the world and this was the slot that he took and it’s the first fight back.
      “And we’ll move on to a fight in December which we hope and believe will be in the UK.” More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Joe Joyce still haunted by drastic end to winning streak vs Zhilei Zhang…and blames supplement for sluggish showing

      by

      JOE JOYCE remains haunted by the drastic end to his winning streak but already has his recovered eye on a comeback party.The 38-year-old Putney Juggernaut was six years and 15 fights into his undefeated professional run when he encountered Zhilei Zhang in April and was stopped after six rounds by a gruesome eye injury.
      It took Joe Joyce a couple of weeks to get over the defeat to Zhilei ZhangCredit: Getty
      The usual post-fight changing-room shindig was swapped out for a long night in the hospital where a cracked cheekbone was confirmed.
      And the deep-thinking fine art graduate admits the dark moments are never far away and Saturday night’s rematch is needed for a fresh canvas.
      “It took me a couple of weeks to get over it,” he said. “Not constantly but every now-and-then I have thoughts about it. 
      “It’s a very different environment when you lose a fight, compared to when you win one.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “It’s annoying, every once in a while you’re reminded that you lost a fight and I realise now how much I prefer the feeling of winning, especially the reactions of friends and fans after the fight.
      “I had to take my mind off things and get out in nature, on my one-wheel skateboard, I went to see family and friends. 
      “I reviewed the footage and saw where I went wrong. I spoke to a lot of people who gave me good advice. There’s plenty to improve and that’s what I have done.”
      Baffling, after 18 minutes of suffering stiff right jabs, shuddering long left backhands and whipped right hooks, Joyce was still about to make jokes in his post-fight interview.
      Most read in Boxing
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      A swollen purple eye and broken septum had not snapped his spirit but it smashed the idea that Joyce is too tough to be beaten.
      And ‘Big Bang’ Zhang has already promised to focus all of his attention and power on that vulnerable right peeper.
      But star student Joyce insists he is ready to make amends, he said: “I wasn’t massively hurt, I did my usual cool down and then started to feel all the bumps and bruises but I wasn’t hurt apart from the eye swelling which went down within a week.
      “I had a minor fracture in my septum but other than that I was in good shape.
      Joyce will fight Zhang on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
      “Even in the fight I wanted to continue, I could see the fingers that the doctor held up as a test but he stopped it and I live to fight another day. 
      “I could have carried on but then it might have got stopped later, with more damage to the eye, so it’s better to regroup and go again.”
      Joyce accidentally lost a stone for the bout, he looked ripped and ready on the Friday scales but was sluggish in the Copper Box ring.
      A new ingredient in a sports supplement was to blame but the powerhouse has promised to return to his hulking best for the Wembley rerun.
      “I was too light and Zhang was heavier and stronger on the night,” he said.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “I have made minor adjustments, made sure I am eating right and enough.
      “I started that last camp on my usual fight weight so it was hard to keep it on in the training camp. That won’t happen again.” More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury’s team offer positive update in Oleksandr Usyk fight after being ‘PLAGUED’ in talks

      by

      TYSON FURY’S team have given fresh hope for an undisputed title fight against Oleksandr Usyk despite “PLAGUED” talks in the past. The pair of unbeaten champions have failed in the past to commence the first ever four-belt heavyweight unification.
      Tyson Fury’s team have given fresh hope for a fight against Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty
      Usyk and Fury have failed to agree fight terms in the pastCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      It led Usyk, 36, into a mandatory title defence against Daniel Dubois, 25, which he won in nine rounds in August.
      Meanwhile Fury, 35, turned his attention to ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou, 37, and their October 28 crossover clash in Saudi Arabia.
      But Todd DuBoef of Top Rank who promote Fury is still holding out hope for the historic undisputed title decider.
      DuBoef told Sky Sports: “I think we were plagued by timing in this last go-around.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “Timing from both guys just didn’t match up and we were trying to squeeze this fight in, in the spring, before the Dubois-Usyk mandatory had to happen.
      “There were a bunch of circumstances, so the good news is Usyk came out of the fight with Dubois.
      “Some people thought he didn’t look as good as they thought he would, but it was a really good, competitive fight.
      “Tyson is going to stay razor-sharp and hopefully is going to be fighting the baddest man on the planet, and they’re going to be going at it.
      Most read in Boxing
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      “I think, soon after that, it would be appropriate, and the stars should align for timing purposes, that the unification happens very soon.”
      Fans are now fearing the super-fight will NEVER be agreed but DuBoef warned not to rule it out from experience.
      He even likened it to when Top Rank boss Bob Arum and rival promoter Don King agreed a deal between Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad in 1999.
      DuBoef said: “There was always an appetite.
      “There’s always an appetite to present something when it’s always going against public opinion where people say, ‘You can’t make the big fights’.
      “I remember when they said ‘Bob and Don will never make De La Hoya-Trinidad’, and we sat in a deli with Don and the three of us made the fight.
      “Sometimes, a lot of the narrative is created online and on social platforms today, and that’s unfortunate and it creates headwinds for reality.
      “People have knee-jerk responses to what they hear out there and it kind of drives the negotiation, so if we could keep everybody off the social platforms, I think the alignment of where you could get a big fight to unify all the titles, particularly in the heavyweight division, is very appealing for everyone.”
      Fury facing off with UsykCredit: Reuters More