Irish boxer John Cooney dies after suffering brain injury in super-featherweight championship fight

Irish boxer John Cooney has died a week after suffering a brain injury in a championship fight, his promoters have said.

The 28-year-old from Belfast was taken to intensive care after he lost to Welsh boxer Nathan Howells at the Ulster Hall last Saturday.

It was his first defence of the Celtic super-featherweight title. The fight was stopped in the ninth round, and it later emerged Cooney had an intracranial haemorrhage.

In a statement on social media, his promoters MHD Promotions said: "It is with complete devastation that we have to announce that after a week of battling for his life, John Cooney has sadly passed away.

"Mr & Mrs Cooney and his fiancée 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'."

Cooney had won the title against Liam Gaynor in Dublin in November 2023, but had spent a year out of competition with a hand injury.

He made his return to competition in a non-title bout with Tampela Maharusi from Tanzania, which he won.

Posting on Instagram, Howells also said he had heard "the worst has happened," and added his "thoughts are with his (Cooney's) family and friends".

Conrad Cummings, fellow Northern Irish boxer and two-time WBO European middleweight champion, added: "John Cooney the warrior passed away this evening.

"I am deeply saddened, I can't begin to think of the hurt his poor fiancée & family are going through.. I pray they find the strength."

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Gaynor - who retired from boxing after his fight with Cooney - also said on Instagram: "Very sad news to hear about the passing of good friend John RIP brother."

And the website Irish-Boxing.com said: "John was always very kind to us and generous with his time. A talented boxer and person we always enjoyed sharing time with.

"The support shown in recent days by the boxing community just highlights how highly John was thought of. "

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