Irish boxer John Cooney has died at the age of 28 from a brain injury suffered in a fight.
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce that John Cooney has passed away a week after the last fight of his life,” the boxer’s promoter, Mark Dunlop, said in a post on Instagram.
Dunlop added that he was a much-loved son, brother, and colleague, and it would take us a lifetime to forget how special he was.
It should be noted that Cooney was defending his Celtic super featherweight title against Welshman Nathan Howells at the Ulster Hall in Belfast on February 1 when the bout was stopped in the ninth round.
He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment, where reports revealed that the fighter had been diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage.
The promoter said Connie’s family would like to thank the hospital staff who worked tirelessly to save John’s life and everyone who sent messages of support and prayers.
