by Marc Londo

As Danny Garcia prepares for his April 11th bout with Lamont Peterson at the catchweight of 143 lbs, the boxing world appears mired in the cesspool that is the Mayweather – Pacquiao negotiations. A strong contrast to Danny’s ‘anyone, anytime, anyplace’ mantra, the drama of the daily ‘will they – wont they’ updates is distracting from the fighters who are currently handling business in the ring. One such fighter headlined the January 31st King’s Promotions card at 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. During the final preparations for Garcia’s last bout against Rod Salka at the Barclays Center, it was my privilege to spend time in the camp of Prichard Colon, a rising super welterweight who fought on his undercard. Given the relative ease that Garcia took out Salka, the time I spent with Team Colon was to serve as the foundation of my story that weekend.

In the 5 short months since Garcia headlined at Barclays, Colon has fought two times; with his most recent bout against Hector Munoz positioned as the main event in the former ECW Arena. In the classic ‘bull versus matador’ matchup, Prichard Colon had Munoz down in the 1st round, and continued to rain down clean shots on his charging foe. The gross amount of blood spilt in the match would have satisfied the thirstiest of ECW crowds. While Munoz continued to bulrush his quicker opponent, Colon steered him around the ring and carved up his face with an assortment of hooks and uppercuts. It was a clinic on tactical boxing, and Colon was rewarded with scores of 53-60, 51-60, and 53-60. In the middle of the ring after the fight, Prichard thanked the Philly fans and expressed how much it meant to him to be the main event in a city with such a proud fight tradition.

As he stood in the middle of the ring, donned in his Hector Camacho-inspired metallic trunks and cape combination, which paid homage to all the great Puerto Rican pugilists that came before him, a familiar aura surrounded his corner that took me back to Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia’s rise through the ranks. In many respects, Colon is a young reflection of Garcia. They both proudly wear their Puerto Rican pride on their sleeves (and/or trunks). It’s in their blood. Boxing is a vocation they learned from their fathers. When I talked to Angel Garcia immediately after the Salka fight, he acknowledged the deep connection between the camps and stated how important it is that Danny inspire the next generation of Latino fighters. An aficionado of boxing history, Prichard is conscious of the great fighters that have walked the path that he is on; and in Garcia he sees a contemporary, leading the way for the next era of Puerto Rican boxers.

Their friendship grew when Danny flew to Bayamon, Puerto Rico, to fight Mauricio Herrera. At the time, Prichard was about to sign with Al Haymon, the manager of Danny Garcia. When they met at Garcia’s hotel, the two undefeated fighters quickly hit it off. Main Course PHL boxing analyst Mohamad Elmahmoud has followed Prichard Colon’s career since he was a very young amateur, and had this to say about the rising star. “There have been a few Welterweight World Champions (major title holders) in the history of Boxing who were 6 feet or taller. To my recollection there were four; Thomas Hearns, Mark Breland, Vernon Forrest, and Paul Williams. I’m confident in saying that the next great champion stands at 6’1. Prichard ‘Digget’ Colon. I have been around the game for 16 years and I have yet to see a comparable package of size, strength, speed and intelligence, to Colon in the Welterweight Division.”

Recently, I had the chance to talk in-depth with Prichard Colon about a range of topics; from his friendship with Danny Garcia, to his influences in the ring, and fighting more often in the northeast. His answers were full of candor and refreshingly genuine.
Marc Londo: As you are well aware, Philly is Danny Garcia country. When you went to Puerto Rico, you struck up a friendship. Tell me a little about that connection between you and him.

ML: What is it like fighting on the same card as Danny Garcia?
Prichard Colon: It was a nice connection from the get go. The first time we met, I believe was February 2014. About a month before the card. He went down to Puerto Rico for a press conference. So, that’s the first time we met, and we had a great bond, talking to him in his room… and his Father… him being Puerto Rican, I’m Puerto Rican. He’s signed to Al Haymon. I’m signed to Al Haymon. We haven’t trained together but – in a sense – it’s kinda like a team. We have the same mission. He’s already made it to the World Championship. I’m on my way. I’m just starting my career. The bond is great. He’s very humble, so it’s cool.

ML: Have you ever sparred with Danny Garcia?
PC: No. I was supposed to go up to his training camp for his fight in Puerto Rico but for different reasons, you know, it didn’t happen. I was too big for him. Mauricio Herrera was a smaller guy, so it didn’t match up. My style didn’t match up with his opponent.

ML: Is there anything in Danny Garcia’s game that you pattern yourself after? Do you see any similarities between the two of you, stylistically?
PC: He’s right handed and I’m right handed. (laughs) He’s been known to knock out his opponents. His last few opponents. Erik Morales. And a few other fighters he’s knocked out. Other than that, his last few fights, he was supposed to lose. Danny was never given a fight to win. He was always expected to lose. He was supposed to be on the B side. The underdog. For me, I look it at it like – especially at the beginning on my career, my first year as a pro, I was never given that real opportunity by a promoter. So I had to basically work my way up on my own, with my father by my side. It was tough. It was tough.
PC: I’ve fought on his undercard twice. The first time was in Puerto Rico. That was a great turnout. In NY, it was a little different. Being on his card introduced me to northeast fans, Puerto Rican fans, nuyorican fans, Latino fans, All different fans. It gave me a chance to showcase my talent. And that gave me a lot of motivation. Because it showed where I may be someday. Another Puerto Rican, maybe a main event. Myself being a main event in a few years. Fighting for a World title. So seeing Danny… all that he’s done in his career… It shows me what I could do in a few years. So there is a lot of motivation.

ML: There are a lot of parallels between you and Danny. What was it like growing up in a boxing family with your father being a trainer?
PC: I started my amateurs at 8. That was my first fight. In Orlando. I moved down to Puerto Rico at 14. I moved to Puerto Rico because I wanted to be on the Olympic team. It was always a dream to be on the Olympic team. I wanted to represent Puerto Rico. At the moment, I was 14 and I was doing really good in the US. I was ranked number #2. And another year, I was ranked #5 in the United States. So, there was a possibility for me to make the USA team. But I wanted to represent Puerto Rico and that’s what we did. I moved to Puerto Rico and within a year I made the cadet team, Then, I made the youth team. Then I tried to make the Olympic team and I fell short at the Olympic qualifiers in Brazil. That’s when I decided to turn pro. But, it was the third match, and I was one fight away from making it to the Olympic games. And, I turned pro 9 months later.

ML: You have such a close knit team. How have those bonds factored into your success?
PC: My team and family come first. I always have my family with me, so it makes me very comfortable, having my family there. And, who knows me better than my family? They’ve been with me all my life, so it’s a great bond. We try to separate what’s family from business. Sometimes it’s difficult but at the end of the day we’re family and everything works out perfect.

ML: You are always making a statement with your boxing gear. For your fight with Munoz, your trunks and your cape are covered with some of the greatest Puerto Rican champions ever. Who are some of your biggest influences in boxing?
PC: I have a few names. Growing up, I used to watch a lot of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones, Sweet Pea Whittaker… Floyd Mayweather is up there. And, Puerto Ricans, I’d say, I have two Puerto Rican boxers who I’ve always looked up to. One is Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad for his humbleness, and he’s always been the peoples champion… Still the peoples champ. And, the other guy is Hector Camacho Sr. Who was always flamboyant. He always brought something different. And he was an entertainer all around. And he had great boxing skills.

ML: How would you describe the prototypical Puerto Rican fighter?
PC: A tough, strong, fighter. We’re known to give great fights. And make great World Champions. We are known to be stylistically good fighters. We’re very strong fighters.ML: What do you see happening with your career in the next couple years?
PC: I’m just looking to stay busy. God willing this fight comes out well and I get the victory. Then I’ll head back to the gym and keep busy in 2015. So, I’m just looking to stay active. 2015 will be a big year. Maybe a regional title. Who knows? And the rest is up to Al Haymon. He’ll know when it’s time for the big dogs. (laughs).