Irish boxer John Cooney dies after brain injury in title fight

Irish super-featherweight boxer John Cooney has passed away at the age of 28 after sustaining a brain injury during his first Celtic title defence against Welsh fighter Nathan Howells last week, his promoter confirmed on Saturday.

"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," Mark Dunlop of MHD Promotions said on social media.

The 28-year-old had been in hospital in Belfast after surgery.

In an earlier statement, Cooney's promoter Mark Dunlop had said: 'Following John Cooney's epic title fight at the Ulster Hall on Saturday evening Josh 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.

"On arrival at the RVH it was discovered that John had an intercranial haemorrhage and underwent immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain."

He had left the ring on a stretcher after last Saturday's fight at the city's Ulster Hall was stopped in the ninth round.

"Such a tragedy to lose this fine young boxer," said former featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan.