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Prichard Colón was recorded at 154 pounds two weeks before weighing 148.8 for his final fight against Terrel Williams, then 156 pounds when examined on fight day, with Virginia’s 2016 report revealing that the ringside physician was apparently unaware of the changes. The previously unseen detail is contained in the original report recently sent to World Boxing News by Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The report records Colón at 154 pounds on October 2, before he weighed 148.8 on October 16. He was then recorded at 156 pounds when Dr. Richard Ashby performed his pre-fight medical evaluation the following day. DPOR’s report states that Ashby was not present at the official weigh-in and that it was unknown whether Colón’s official weight had been reported to him. Doctor Unaware of Weight Change According to the report, the only weight information available to Ashby came from Colón’s pre-fight medical questionnaire and the doctor’s own examination. DPOR’s report therefore concluded that Ashby was apparently unaware of Colón’s movement from 154 pounds to 148.8 and then 156. “Without knowledge of Colón’s weight change, Ashby would not have had reason to be concerned with Colón’s weight loss prior to the bout when determining Colón’s fitness to compete,” the report states. Nothing in Virginia’s findings establishes that the weight changes made Colón medically unfit to fight. They do provide another detail about Colón’s preparation for a fight that would ultimately change his life. The Williams contest was also Colón’s third appearance in approximately two and a half months. Three Fights in Ten Weeks Colón had fought 15 competitive rounds across that period by the time the Williams contest ended. That level of activity was not unprecedented for a developing professional boxer, particularly during the earlier stages of a career. Colón, however, was progressing rapidly toward championship level. His previous appearance had come just 36 days before Williams when he faced former world champion Vivian Harris on September 11. Colón stopped Harris in four rounds before returning just over five weeks later for another step up against Williams. He entered the contest undefeated at 16-0 with 13 knockouts and was attempting to establish welterweight as his immediate home as his career moved toward the championship picture. Colón Stepping Up The weight information contained in Virginia’s report adds context to that transition. Colón had competed around 154 pounds before getting down close to the welterweight limit for Williams. The official weigh-in recorded him at 148.8 before Ashby’s fight-day examination recorded him seven pounds heavier at 156. Weight cutting and dehydration are recognized concerns in combat sports because fighters must balance making a contracted limit with being sufficiently recovered to compete. There is no evidence in Virginia’s report establishing that Colón was dehydrated when he fought Williams, and it would be wrong to retrospectively attribute his condition to his weight or schedule without medical evidence. The punches Colón received during the Williams fight, including blows to the back of his head, would become a major focus of Virginia’s subsequent investigation. Almost eleven years later, the weight records provide another piece of information surrounding Colón’s final fight without offering a medical explanation for the tragedy that followed. About the Author Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.