Super-featherweight boxer John Cooney, 28, has passed away following his defeat against Welsh fighter Nathan Howells in Belfast last Saturday.

The Irish athlete suffered an intracranial hemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery to reduce brain pressure after the bout at Ulster Hall.

Cooney, a native of Galway, received immediate medical attention in the ring before being stretchered out and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

“With immense heartbreak, we announce that after a week of fighting for his life, John Cooney has sadly passed away,” MHD Promotions stated on behalf of his family.

"Mr and Mrs Cooney and his fiancee Emmaleen would like to thank the staff at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital who have worked tirelessly to save John's life and for everyone who has sent messages of support and prayers.

"He was a much-loved son, brother and partner and it will take us all a lifetime to forget how special he was. RIP John 'The Kid' Cooney."

The contest was stopped in the ninth round in what was Cooney's first defence of his Celtic super-featherweight title.

The Galway boxer won the Celtic title with a first-round win over Liam Gaynor in November 2023 at a sold-out 3Arena in Dublin, on the undercard of Katie Taylor's revenge win over Chantelle Cameron.

Cooney then spent a year out of the ring recovering from a hand injury before returning to beat Tampela Maharusi of Tanzania in October 2024 in London.

Source: BBC

BDST: 2103 HRS, FEB 09, 2025
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