Colón was 23 and brought a 16-0 record with 13 knockouts into the fight. Five weeks earlier, he had stopped former WBA light welterweight champion Vivian Harris in four rounds.

The punches behind the head became an issue during the Williams fight, with Colón repeatedly complaining to referee Joe Cooper.

The most troubling sequence came in the seventh round. Williams landed a right to the back of Colón’s head as Colón turned away, sending him to his knees while he clutched the area. Cooper deducted a point from Williams for the illegal punch. Colón was examined and allowed to continue.

Two rounds later, Williams dropped him twice. Colón’s corner mistakenly removed his gloves after the ninth, believing the fight had ended. When they learned another round remained, Colón was unable to continue and was disqualified.

His official record fell to 16-1, but the result soon became insignificant.

Colón became dizzy and vomited after the fight before being rushed to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Doctors discovered bleeding on the left side of his brain and performed emergency surgery.

He remained in a coma for 221 days. Colón eventually regained consciousness, but the brain damage left him requiring extensive assistance and rehabilitation. His family cared for him over the next decade while periodically sharing videos of his physical therapy and responses to commands.

His parents later pursued legal action over the medical handling of Colón that night, including the response after he complained of pain in the back of his head.

Footage of the final fight is particularly difficult to watch today. Colón can be seen repeatedly indicating that he was being hit behind the head before suffering the brain injury that ended his boxing career and changed his life.

At 23, Colón never had the opportunity to find out how far his talent might have taken him. His career instead ended after 17 professional fights, followed by more than a decade in the care of his family.