Terrel Williams is an inactive American former professional welterweight boxer who completed his fighting career with an official record of 18 wins, 1 loss, and 13 knockouts. Standing 6 feet tall with a 73-inch reach, the Inglewood-native competitor remains best known for his October 17, 2015, contest against undefeated Puerto Rican prospect Prichard Colón. The controversial bout, which concluded via corner disqualification, became a major catalyst for structural changes in modern combat sports officiating.
Terrel Williams Profile and Career Statistics
According to official database entries on BoxRec, Williams compiled a professional record across 19 total bouts between 2008 and 2019:
| Career Metric | Official Details |
| Full Name | Terrel Shawn Williams |
| Alias / Ring Name | “The Hammer” |
| Date of Birth | February 16, 1984 |
| Birthplace | Inglewood, California, USA |
| Weight Division | Welterweight |
| Professional Record | 18-1-0 (13 Knockouts) |
| Active Career | November 2008 – September 2019 |
The 2015 Bout Against Prichard Colón
On October 17, 2015, Williams met Prichard Colón at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, as part of a Premier Boxing Champions broadcast card. Both fighters entered the ring undefeated: Colón held a record of 16-0 with 13 knockouts, while Williams held a record of 14-0 with 12 knockouts.
The match featured several significant rule infractions and point deductions:
- Fifth Round: Referee Joe Cooper penalised Colón two points following a low blow that was ruled intentional.
- Seventh Round: Referee Cooper deducted one point from Williams for landing illegal punches to the back of Colón’s head (commonly referred to as rabbit punches) while Colón was turning away. Colón was granted recovery time before action resumed.
- Ninth Round: Williams scored two knockdowns against Colón near the end of the frame.
Following the conclusion of the ninth round, members of Colón’s corner mistakenly began unlacing and removing his gloves under the belief that the 10-round fight had ended. Because his corner could not re-glove Colón in time to answer the bell for the tenth round, referee Cooper officially disqualified Colón, giving Williams the victory.
Regulatory Investigations and Safety Rule Reforms
The event prompted immediate review by regulatory bodies and athletic commissions:
- State Inquiry: The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation launched an official inquiry into the event’s officiating and administrative management. In March 2016, the department concluded its investigation, establishing no grounds for administrative sanctions or legal wrongdoing against event organizers or match officials.
- The Prichard Colón Rule: In response to the bout, the World Boxing Council (WBC) introduced formal policy enhancements to eliminate head-rear fouls. Officially designated as the Prichard Colón Rule, the regulation mandates zero tolerance for rabbit punching, instructing referees to immediately halt action, penalise points, or issue disqualifications upon observing fouls to the back of the head.
In August 2026, news outlets confirmed the passing of Prichard Colón at age 33. For a complete retrospective on his career, achievements, and enduring impact on the sport, read our detailed feature on Prichard Colón’s Boxing Legacy and Passing.
Williams’ Return to Boxing and Retirement
Following the 2015 bout, Williams stepped away from competitive boxing for roughly two years. He returned to the ring in late 2017 and earned three consecutive victories against Rosemberg Gomez, David Grayton, and Justin DeLoach.
On September 21, 2019, Williams faced veteran contender Thomas Dulorme at the Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, California. Dulorme scored a knockdown during the contest and secured a unanimous decision victory with judges’ scorecards reading 98-91, 98-91, and 96-93.
The defeat marked the first and only loss of Williams’ professional career. He has not fought competitively since 2019, and official records list his status as inactive. Outside of his competition history, Williams maintains a low public profile with no active ring comeback planned.
You can learn more about the rules, penalties, and safety procedures implemented in professional boxing by reviewing the WBC Clean Boxing Program Guidelines.
