Irish boxer John Cooney has died at the age of 28 one week after suffering a brain injury during his fight with Nathan Howells.
Cooney suffered an intracranial haemorrhage during the defeat and had surgery to relieve pressure on his brain following the bout at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.
The fight was stopped in the ninth round and Galway boxer Cooney was assessed by the medical team in the ring before being stretchered out and taken to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
Boxing promoters MHD Promotions confirmed in a statement on Saturday evening that Cooney had passed away.
‘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,’ they said on behalf of the Cooney 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.’
Cooney was defending his Celtic super-featherweight title for the first time against Welshman Howells.
He won that title in November 2023, beating Liam Gaynor on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s victory over Chantelle Cameron at a sold-out 3Arena in Dublin.
Cooney spend a year out as he recovered from a hand injury before beating Tampele Maharusi in his comeback fight last October at the York Hall in London.
Howells added in an Instagram post: ‘Just had the news that the worst has happened. Unfortunately John has passed away, thoughts are with his family and friends sorry for your loss!’
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing posted on X: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn the passing of John Cooney. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, Mark Dunlop and all the team at this time.’
Ex-Irish boxer Barry McGuigan added: ‘Such a tragedy to lose this fine young boxer. John Cooney RIP who died after suffering a subdural hematoma following his Celtic Title Fight in Belfast last week.
‘I send my family and my deepest sympathies to John’s fiancee Emmaleen and his parents and his family. RIP.’
Last month, another professional boxer, Hassan Mgaya, died after being hospitalised following a defeat.
Mgaya was knocked out by fellow Tanzanian boxer Paul Elias in the country’s capital of Dar-Es-Salaam on December 27.
Boxing organisation WBC said: ‘The entire WBC family and President Mauricio Sulaiman send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our beloved champion. Rest in Peace.’
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