Super-featherweight boxer John Cooney has died following his defeat by Welshman Nathan Howells in Belfast on February 2.
The 28-year-old Irish boxer suffered an intracranial haemorrhage after the bout at the Ulster Hall and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.
He was assessed by the ringside medical team before being taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
“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,” MHD Promotions 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 a lifetime to forget how special he was. RIP John ‘The Kid’ Cooney.”
The fight was stopped in the ninth round. It was Cooney’s first defence of his Celtic super-featherweight title. He won the title in November 2023 against Liam Gaynor.
After a year out with a hand injury, he returned to defeat Tampela Maharusi in London in October 2024.
Former world champion Barry McGuigan called the tragedy “terrifying” and described Cooney as “just a lovely, sweet kid. Ambitious, determined and driven.”
Tributes have poured in on social media. Former double WBO European champion Conrad Cummings said:
“John Cooney the warrior gave up his fight and passed away this evening. I am deeply saddened, I can’t begin to think of the hurt his poor fiancee & family are going through. I pray they find the strength.”
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