Boxer John Cooney dies after fight injury

Irish boxer John Cooney, aged 28, has tragically passed away after sustaining a severe brain injury during a championship fight on February 1.

His promoter, Mark Dunlop, announced the heartbreaking news on Saturday, confirming that Cooney had been in intensive care for a week following an intracranial hemorrhage suffered during his bout against Welsh boxer Nathan Howells in Belfast.

The super-featherweight fight, which took place last Saturday, was stopped in the ninth round after Cooney showed signs of distress.

He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death.

This was Cooney’s first defense of the Celtic super-featherweight title, a belt he won in November 2023 with a first-round knockout of Liam Gaynor in Dublin.

Cooney had previously taken a year-long hiatus from boxing due to a hand injury but made a triumphant return to the ring in October 2024 with a victory over Tampela Maharusi.

His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, with tributes pouring in from fans, fellow athletes, and promoters.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Cooney family, promoter Mark Dunlop expressed profound grief:
“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.

“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’s death marks another somber moment in boxing history, following similar incidents in recent years.

Cooney’s career file

John Cooney, affectionately known as “the Kid,” was born on May 12, 1996, in Dublin, Ireland.

He showed a natural aptitude for boxing from a young age, joining a local gym at 10 and quickly making a name for himself in the amateur circuit, where he won multiple national titles in Ireland.

Cooney turned professional in 2018 at the age of 22, signing with promoter Mark Dunlop.

His debut fight was a resounding success, as he secured a knockout victory in the second round against a seasoned opponent.

This win set the tone for his early career, as he went on to win his first 10 fights, 8 of which were by knockout.

One of the highlights of Cooney’s career came in November 2023, when he faced Liam Gaynor for the Celtic super-featherweight title in Dublin.

Cooney delivered a stunning first-round knockout, capturing the title and solidifying his status as one of Ireland’s most promising boxers.

His career was not without its challenges.

In late 2023, he suffered a hand injury that forced him to take a year-long hiatus from the ring.

Many wondered if he would be able to return to his previous form, but Cooney proved his doubters wrong.

In October 2024, he made a triumphant comeback with a decisive victory over Tampela Maharusi.

Cooney’s last fight took place on February 1, 2025, in Belfast, where he defended his Celtic super-featherweight title against Welsh boxer Nathan Howells.

The bout was highly competitive, but in the ninth round, Cooney suffered a devastating injury—an intracranial hemorrhage—that led to the fight being stopped.

He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries a week later, on February 8, 2025.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook