Terrel Williams keeps himself to himself these days, but that’s no surprise due to the barracking aimed at him over Prichard Colon.
Williams continues to face abuse daily due to his controversial and tragic fight with former boxing contender Colon.
In 2015, Williams defeated the unbeaten 16-0 Colon in the ninth round, with the Puerto Rican pulling out when distressed.
Holding the back of his head, Colon had taken several rabbit punches that caused catastrophic damage to his brain.
PRICHARD COLON WARRIOR
Every day is a fight for Colon as he continues to get some of himself back little by little. His attempts to recover bring inspiration to many around the world.
The World Boxing Council awarded Colon deserved accolades for being a warrior, even awarding him a WBC title. They said he would probably have won inside the ropes.
Such was the talent of a young fighter with an exciting career ahead of him until that fateful fight with Williams at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.
Around the fallout, Williams faced criticism when Colon was fighting for his life in hospital. Many pointed to his use of punching to the back of the head.
It was clear that Williams was using the illegal move quite regularly in clinches. Colon complained. Williams was warned about it and lost a point for his trouble.
But in the aftermath, the American was cleared to carry on boxing. It took two years until Williams returned, a year after Colon had awoken from his 221-day coma.
Williams won three times before losing to Thomas Dulorme in 2019. He hasn’t been seen in a ring since. The only clue into how Williams is mentally was an interview from four years ago.
INTERVIEW
Speaking to The Ring Magazine in 2018, Williams explained how that fight, although nothing in the manner Colon had to endure, affected him daily.
“I pray for Prichard every day. That’s never going to change. I wish him nothing but peace and health. No one wants what happened to Prichard to happen to anybody. All boxers are brothers. I would never intentionally harm someone like that,” Williams told The Ring.
“But there has been a lot of malicious stuff that’s said about me, especially from the Colon family. If that is how they’re going to cope with it and it helps them heal, then that’s what it is.
“I’m still healing too. I’ll be healing for the rest of my life. I honestly never wanted to fight again after that fight.
“I understand, and I know I didn’t do anything wrong that night. Prichard was a young man with a bright future who would contribute good things to the world.
“That’s been hard on me,” he added.
Touching on the abuse by Colon’s outraged family, which they have every right to be, that’s nothing compared to what gets written about Williams on a static Facebook page.
PRICHARD COLON SUPPORT
WBN explained last year that Williams hasn’t used the page since 2013. But this hasn’t stopped Prichard Colon supporters, whether well-intentioned or not, from tearing into him at will, even today.
Some of the comments we wouldn’t even post. But the selection below clearly indicates what the page now represents.
One woman said: “You would look great with our flag tied around your neck.”
Another stated: “You should be paying for all medical bills and get his family help to take care of him for what you did. And you should never be able to get in the ring again.”
A third added: “Someday, someone will catch you all alone, and they won’t be unarmed or have forgiveness in their heart.”
TERREL WILLIAMS PAGE
Some of what exists on the page, which a member of the Williams family should look to delete, is quite sinister and threatening to the boxer.
It doesn’t look likely to stop either, as it’s been seven years, and relentless comments are coming thick and fast.
Forgiveness to Williams will forever be a tough pill to swallow for anyone who supports Prichard Colon’s honorable fight.
However, mental health is of the utmost importance – today more than ever. Therefore, it might be good that Terrel Williams never reads it.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
