Boxing has experienced its fair share of triumphs over the years, but it has also seen its share of tragedy. John Cooney, a 28-year-old boxer from Galway, was defending his Celtic super featherweight title for the first time at Ulster Hall in Belfast on Saturday when tragedy struck. During the ninth round of his bout against Welshman Nathan Howells, Cooney was knocked out, and the fight was halted.
Immediately after the knockout, Cooney was assessed by the medical team and rushed to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital where he underwent an emergency surgery. In the wake of this, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support the boxer, with a fundraising goal of £7,500. As of now, nearly £6,000 has already been pledged, according to News Letter UK. Meanwhile, Cooney’s promoter, MHD Promotions, has provided an update on his condition.
Nathan Howells releases statement
In the statement, sharing Cooney’s health update, Mark H Dunlop, head of MHD Promotions, wrote, “Following John Cooney’s epic title fight at the Ulster Hall on Saturday evening John was assessed by the onsite medical team of the British Boxing Board of Control and swiftly taken to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for further treatment.”
He added that upon arrival at the hospital, Cooney had suffered “an intracranial hemorrhage,” which required him to undergo an immediate surgical procedure to “relieve the pressure on his brain.” He added, “John is currently in the intensive care unit [ICU] and in the capable hands of the hospital ICU team.”
Dunlop even expressed gratitude on behalf of Cooney’s loved ones to the fans for all the “private messages of support” and asked fans to keep Cooney in their thoughts and prayers. After this statement was released, Cooney’s opponent, Howells, took to Instagram to wish him a speedy recovery.
John Cooney update. pic.twitter.com/fGueEuZT1i
— Mark H Dunlop (@MARKHDUNLOP) February 3, 2025
“I know a few of my lot have been asking about John and I’ve been waiting to hear myself,” he wrote. “I haven’t heard anything yet but here’s the latest update from the promoter. Genuinely [I] never wanted for any of this to happen, I just went out there to box. I wish nothing but the very best for John and his family and hope he comes home safe and sound.”
Howells confessed that he didn’t know Cooney personally, but felt he was a “respectful and nice man.” He added, “What I do know is he’s a fit and strong young man and he can beat this and come out the other side. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends and he will forever have my respect.”
“We shared a ring together and the boy never once quit or looked for a way out. Get well soon mate – all the best.” Though short, Cooney had a brilliant boxing career—he won the Celtic super-featherweight title via first-round victory against Liam Gaynor in Dublin in November 2023. Cooney had to stay on the sidelines for a year because of a hand injury.
However, he made a successful comeback to defeat Tampela Maharusi at York Hall in October. His loss to Howells was his first career defeat. Regardless, upon discovering the health update from Cooney’s promoter, the already worried fan base quickly shared well wishes for the boxer.
John Cooney urged to keep fighting
English boxing fans can be passionate about the sport, but they are also compassionate about their own. One user pleaded with Cooney to keep his fighting spirit going. “Keep fighting, fella, [you are] in our thoughts and prayers,” the user wrote. The coming days will be crucial for Cooney’s recovery. As of now, Dunlop’s update is all that we have.
The next user expressed their sorrow. “Sorry to hear this. I hope John pulls through,” the user commented. It’s not unheard of for people suffering from intracranial hemorrhage to recover, but they are often left with neurological disabilities.
Another user revealed that they had spoken to John Cooney two weeks ago. “I had the privilege of speaking to John just a couple of weeks ago. Thoughts and prayers with him and his family at this time,” the user wrote. This just goes to show just how dangerous boxing is, and how quickly things can go wrong.
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Someone else sent their prayers for Cooney. “So sorry to hear this. In absolutely the best place. Praying for a swift and full recovery,” the user wrote. However, such injuries often take a long time to recover from.
One user urged fans to consider donating to Cooney’s GoFundMe. “Pray for John for a full and healthy recovery. If you can spare anything to help John and his family with his ongoing treatment and care, it would be greatly appreciated,” the user wrote. It’s likely Cooney will have to spend a lot of time in the hospital, so every little bit could help.
It’s times like this that bring the boxing world together, but it’s unfortunate that John Cooney, a potentially great boxer, had to suffer such an accident in the process. Everyone at EssentiallySports wishes Cooney a speedy recovery. Do you have any words for the boxer and his family?
The post Boxer John Cooney in ICU as Debilitating Health Update Makes Everyone Pray- “Sorry to Hear This” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
