Irish boxer John Cooney dies after sustaining brain injury in title fight

Irish boxer John Cooney (11-1, 3 KO) has died at age of 28 from brain injuries sustained in a title fight last week. Promoter Mark Dunlop announced the sad news on Saturday.

Cooney was defending his BBBofC Celtic super-featherweight title fight against Nathan Howells of Wales in Belfast on February 1. Bout was stopped in round nine.

“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,” promoter Mark Dunlop said in a post 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 taken to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment and subsequently underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain from an intracranial hemorrhage, Dunlop said earlier this week.

“Mr. and 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,” Dunlop added in Saturday’s statement.