John Cooney: Irish boxer dies a week after fighting

The Irish boxer John Cooney died after an injury that may be in the ring. “With deep dismay, we have to tell that John Cooney unfortunately died after a week of the fight for his life,” said his promoter Mark Dunlop on Instagram.

A week before his death, Cooney had suffered a defeat against Welsh Nathan Howells in the Northern Irish capital Belfast. The struggle in which the super springweight wanted to defend his “Celtic” championship title in a super spring weight in November 2023 had to be canceled in the ninth round. After a hand injury, Cooney had not risen into the ring until the end of 2024. Even when the winner was announced, the 28-year-old was no longer in the ring and on the way to the hospital in the previous week.

There, the Irishman had to undergo an operation after a hemorrhage had been found. He was then treated in the intensive care unit. “He was a beloved son, brother and partner and we will never forget how special he was,” says the explanation.

The former British world champion Barry McGuigan was shocked by the British about the news. “It is terrifying that that can happen to a 28-year-old who was in the bloom of his life,” said McGuigan. Cooney was a lovable and nice boy with great ambition.

The former European European champion Conrad Cummings also shared his grief. On X, the 34-year-old wrote that he was deeply sad and his thoughts were with Cooney’s family and his fiance. “I pray that you find the strength to get through it,” wrote Cummings.

Meanwhile, the “worst possible” message wrote on Facebook. There are no words that could describe the extent of this tragedy or relieve the grief of his family.