{"id":26024,"date":"2025-02-09T16:51:58","date_gmt":"2025-02-09T16:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/boxing-community-devastated-by-fighters-death\/"},"modified":"2025-02-09T16:52:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-09T16:52:00","slug":"boxing-community-devastated-by-fighters-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/boxing-community-devastated-by-fighters-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Boxing community ‘devastated’ by fighter’s death"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"BrianBrian Lawless\/PA Wire<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

John Cooney’s death was announced on Saturday, a week after the Belfast boxing match<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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The boxing community has been paying tribute to super-featherweight fighter John Cooney following his death a week after a title fight in Belfast. <\/p>\n

Cooney, from County Galway, was stretchered off to hospital with a brain injury following his defeat in a title bout in Belfast last weekend.<\/p>\n

The death of the 28 year old was confirmed on Saturday,<\/a> seven days after the contest. <\/p>\n

Former WBC Heavyweight champion Frank Bruno described it as “a sad day for boxing”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

‘A warrior’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Former double WBO European champion Conrad Cummings said Cooney’s fellow boxers were “absolutely devastated” by his death. <\/p>\n

“I’m personally heartbroken for his beautiful fianc\u00e9e that he’s left behind and his family,” he said. <\/p>\n

“I can’t begin to even imagine the heartbreak and pain they must be going through.”<\/p>\n

Cummings told BBC News NI he had met the young fighter a number of times and admired him. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Boxer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Boxer Conrad Cummings described John Cooney as a “warrior” who would be greatly missed <\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Cooney was attempting to defend his Celtic super-featherweight title against Welshman Nathan Howells in Belfast’s Ulster Hall on Saturday 1 February. <\/p>\n

The contest was stopped in the ninth round and ended in defeat for Cooney. <\/p>\n

He was assessed by the onsite medical team in the ring before being transferred to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.<\/p>\n

His promoter later confirmed he had suffered an intracranial haemorrhage and needed an operation to relieve pressure on his brain.<\/p>\n

Cooney was then treated in intensive care<\/a> for several days and his loved ones paid tribute to the hospital staff who tried to save his life. <\/p>\n

Conrad Cummings said his death was a “tragic incident” which had highlighted how dangerous the sport can be. <\/p>\n

“He was a tough man, he gave it his all every time. I think he was 11 in a row undefeated before that fight,” he said.<\/p>\n

Cummings described Cooney as a “warrior” in the ring but a “nice and quiet young man” in person who was humble and not into “silly talk”. <\/p>\n

He said Cooney had the potential to “go on to big things” in the sport and he would be very much missed by his fellow fighters. <\/p>\n

“It’s a big blow to the boxing community and he’ll be remembered greatly for the champ that he was.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

‘Up-and-coming star’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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The governing body of professional boxing in the UK, the British Boxing Board of Control said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of John Cooney”<\/p>\n

“We send our thoughts and condolences to John’s family and friends at this most difficult time,” it said on statement on X.<\/p>\n

Frank Bruno also expressed his condolences with a brief statement on social media, accompanied by a photo of Cooney in the ring. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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