Justice for Prichard Colon! Fire Joe Cooper, Dr. Richard Ashby, Terrel Williams and David Holland!!!

The Issue

On Saturday, October 17th, 2015 23 year old Puerto Rican Welterweight and promising prospect, Prichard "Digget" Colon sustained severe brain injuries and subsequently had emergency brain surgery to relieve the pressure in his brain due to a number of blows to the back of the head which are considered "illegal" in the sport of boxing. These blows were administered by his opponent, Terrell "Tyger" Williams (who, unbeknownst to the Colon corner, is known for illegal blows to the back of the head or "rabbit punches"). During the fight, Colon complained numerous times to the referee, Joe Cooper but his plea for help from the referee to do something about the illegal blows went unnoticed. Joe Cooper is also known (in the boxing world) as a very questionable referee with some of the fights he refereed ending in a controversial manner.

At one point in the fight, after another illegal blow to the back of Colon's head, Colon succumbed to the illegal blows and was knocked down. He was checked by the Doctor, Richard Ashby, who was hired by the commission to observe the fight. Colon advised the Doctor that he was feeling dizzy. The Doctor checked the back of Colon's head and advised he was okay to return for the next round with no hesitation. Colon then continued on with the fight (not before being told by representatives from the Virginia Boxing and Wrestling Commission (Executive Director, David Holland) to stop with the "stalling antics" referring to the amount of time he took to recuperate from the knockdown) although it was visible he was having issues and pain on the left side of his head. As the fight continued, so did the punishment and the illegal blows. Once the fight was finished and the adrenaline wore off, Colon began to feel dizzier and vomited in the locker room where he eventually became unconscious and was taken to the hospital to have emergency brain surgery. After the successful surgery, he went into a coma, in which he has remained since October 17th.

Prichard's friends and family are urging everyone to PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION so that the people who are responsible for this tragedy to be FIRED and NEVER be allowed to put anyone else's life in jeopardy!! Due to the negligence of Terrell Williams, Joe Cooper, Dr. Richard Ashby, and David Holland, a young man who's dream (since he was 3) was to become World Champion has been undeniably stripped but MOST IMPORTANTLY, finds himself in the biggest and most important fight yet- the one for his life!!. These individuals should NEVER be allowed to be a part of any other Boxing events. PLEASE HELP OUR VOICES BE HEARD! WE NEED TO GET JUSTICE FOR PRICHARD COLON!!

This petition had 7,207 supporters

The Issue

On Saturday, October 17th, 2015 23 year old Puerto Rican Welterweight and promising prospect, Prichard "Digget" Colon sustained severe brain injuries and subsequently had emergency brain surgery to relieve the pressure in his brain due to a number of blows to the back of the head which are considered "illegal" in the sport of boxing. These blows were administered by his opponent, Terrell "Tyger" Williams (who, unbeknownst to the Colon corner, is known for illegal blows to the back of the head or "rabbit punches"). During the fight, Colon complained numerous times to the referee, Joe Cooper but his plea for help from the referee to do something about the illegal blows went unnoticed. Joe Cooper is also known (in the boxing world) as a very questionable referee with some of the fights he refereed ending in a controversial manner.

At one point in the fight, after another illegal blow to the back of Colon's head, Colon succumbed to the illegal blows and was knocked down. He was checked by the Doctor, Richard Ashby, who was hired by the commission to observe the fight. Colon advised the Doctor that he was feeling dizzy. The Doctor checked the back of Colon's head and advised he was okay to return for the next round with no hesitation. Colon then continued on with the fight (not before being told by representatives from the Virginia Boxing and Wrestling Commission (Executive Director, David Holland) to stop with the "stalling antics" referring to the amount of time he took to recuperate from the knockdown) although it was visible he was having issues and pain on the left side of his head. As the fight continued, so did the punishment and the illegal blows. Once the fight was finished and the adrenaline wore off, Colon began to feel dizzier and vomited in the locker room where he eventually became unconscious and was taken to the hospital to have emergency brain surgery. After the successful surgery, he went into a coma, in which he has remained since October 17th.

Prichard's friends and family are urging everyone to PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION so that the people who are responsible for this tragedy to be FIRED and NEVER be allowed to put anyone else's life in jeopardy!! Due to the negligence of Terrell Williams, Joe Cooper, Dr. Richard Ashby, and David Holland, a young man who's dream (since he was 3) was to become World Champion has been undeniably stripped but MOST IMPORTANTLY, finds himself in the biggest and most important fight yet- the one for his life!!. These individuals should NEVER be allowed to be a part of any other Boxing events. PLEASE HELP OUR VOICES BE HEARD! WE NEED TO GET JUSTICE FOR PRICHARD COLON!!

The Decision Makers

Mike Mazzulli
Mike Mazzulli
President of the Association of Boxing Commissions
Responded
Tragedies in combative ring sports are fortunately far below those of most contact sports, meaning that when an injury occurs, all of us are affected. The ABC cannot take action as such is not provided for in the Association of Boxing Commissions bylaws. But since the safety and welfare of all participants is the Association's primary concern, it is my sincere hope you will keep us advised of any findings or rulings. Perhaps you could remove the ABC from the petition circulation, but contact me directly upon conclusion of any findings. Respectfully, MM

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