'Fighting for his life': Irish boxer John Cooney in intensive care after title loss

Irish super-featherweight boxer John Cooney underwent emergency brain surgery after his title defeat to Nathan Howells in Belfast at the weekend.

In Cooney's first defence of his Celtic super-featherweight title, the champion was stopped in the ninth round by Howells but there was immediate concern for Cooney.

The 28-year-old was assessed by the medical team in the ring and taken by stretcher to hospital for further treatment and was not present for the official announcement of the result at the conclusion of the bout.

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In a statement, Cooney's promoter Mark Dunlop said his fighter suffered "an intracranial haemorrhage and underwent immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain".

"John is currently in the intensive care unit and in the hospital's capable hands of the ICU team.

"John's fiancee Emmaleen and his parents Hughie and Tina would like to thank everyone for their private messages of support and would ask that they keep John in their thoughts and prayers at this time as he faces his toughest battle."

Cooney's uncle Christopher has also asked for people's prayers and said his nephew "is fighting for his life in the Royal Vic Hospital Belfast".

Cooney won the Celtic title with a first-round win over Liam Gaynor in November 2023, on the undercard of Katie Taylor's win over Chantelle Cameron.

He then spent 12 months out of the ring due to a hand injury before defeating Tampela Maharusi in October 2024 in London.