Irish boxer John Cooney has passed away at the age of 28 from brain injuries sustained during a title fight, his promoter announced on Saturday.
“With complete devastation, we have to announce that after a week of battling for his life, John Cooney has sadly passed away,” promoter Mark Dunlop shared on Instagram.
“He was a much-loved son, brother, and partner, and it will take us all a lifetime to forget how special he was,” Dunlop added. “RIP John ‘The Kid’ Cooney.”
Cooney was defending his Celtic super-featherweight title against Welshman Nathan Howells at Belfast’s Ulster Hall on February 1 when the fight was stopped in the ninth round.
He was rushed to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain caused by an intracranial hemorrhage, Dunlop had previously stated.
In his announcement, Dunlop also expressed gratitude on behalf of Cooney’s parents and fiancée, Emmaleen. “Mr. and Mrs. Cooney and his fiancée would like to thank the staff at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, who worked tirelessly to save John’s life, and everyone who sent messages of support and prayers.”
Cooney first won the Celtic super-featherweight title in November 2023 with a victory over Liam Gaynor. After nearly a year out of the ring due to a hand injury, he returned to defeat Tampela Maharusi in October.
Tributes poured in from the boxing world, including from British former boxer Ricky Hatton, who wrote on Instagram: “What a tragedy to hear of the passing of boxer @jhc_boxing after his bout a few days ago. This doesn’t happen often in our sport, but when it does, it’s so terrible. It reminds us to live every day as if it’s our last. My love & best wishes are with John & his family.”
Irish promoter and former featherweight champion Barry McGuigan described Cooney as a “fine young boxer” in a post on X, offering his deepest condolences to Cooney’s fiancée, parents, and family. “RIP,” he wrote.
