Irish super-featherweight boxer John Cooney passed away at the young age of 28 on Saturday, February 8, 2025, leaving his family, fiancee, and loved ones devastated.
The 28-year-old John Cooney passed away a week after suffering a brain injury in his game against Welshman Nathan Howells in Belfast’s Ulster Hall on Saturday, February 1.
The contest was stopped in the ninth round and ended in defeat for Cooney; he was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hall Hospital in Belfast after being treated by the onsite medical team in the ring.
Message from Mr & Mrs Cooney pic.twitter.com/unFneqJDL9
— Mark H Dunlop (@MARKHDUNLOP) February 9, 2025
His promoter, Mark Dunlop, later confirmed that John suffered an intracranial hemorrhage and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.
Mark Dunlop took to his official Twitter to announce the untimely demise of the boxing star John on behalf of his family.
In the statement released on February 9, 2025, Mark wrote,
“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. He was a much loved son, brother and partner and it will take us all a lifetime to forget how special he was. RIP John “The Kid Cooney”
He further added that the late Cooney’s parents, Hughie and Tina Cooney, and fiancee Emmaleen, expressed their gratitude to the staff at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital who have worked tirelessly to save John’s life.
Furthermore, Cooney’s family also expressed their utmost gratitude to the people of Belfast and the wider boxing community.
In response to his tragic demise, many of his friends and loved ones are sending their heartfelt condolences to Cooney’s family.
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 and wrote, “We send our thoughts and condolences to John’s family and friends at this most difficult time.“
Such a tragedy to loose this fine young boxer
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) February 8, 2025
JohnCooney RIP who died after suffering a subdural hematoma following his Celtic Title Fight in Belfast last week. I send my family and my deepest sympathies to John’s fiancée Emmaleen and his parents and his family RIP 🙏 pic.twitter.com/6Bippo2KqO
Similarly, Northern Ireland Sports Minister Gordon Lyons stated, “My thoughts are with John’s family, friends, and all those in the boxing world who knew and loved him.“
He added that this was a tragic event, and he wanted to commend the quick actions of the medal team at the Ulster Hall and the work of staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Alongside parents Hughie and Tina Cooney, left to cherish his life are his brothers Conor and Aaron and the whole Cooney family.
Similarly, Emmaleen Maher, who was soon to be his wife, also survives the late John Cooney.
The late John Cooney and Fiancée Emmaleen Maher Spent Years Together!
John Cooney was not just an exceptional boxer but also a loving fiancee to Emmaleen Maher.
Cooney got engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Emmaleen Maher, in July 2022.
The late Cooney took to his Instagram post to share the picture of his beautiful fiancee with an engagement ring with the caption “Mrs Cooney To Be.“
John planned to marry Emmaleen soon before the tragic incident took his life.
Regarding their relationship, while the exact date of their romantic life is unavailable, John first shared his fiancee’s picture on social media on his 25th birthday in April 2021.
Cooney often shared glimpses of his adventurous life with Emmaleen, traveling to different places and enjoying their life to the fullest.
Moreover, John often expressed his love for Emmaleen, describing her as his best friend and partner in crime.
Maher graduated from Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone Campus, with a bachelor’s in science degree in Psychiatric Nursing in 2023.
Similarly, Emmaleen has been in nursing for over six years; she began her career as a healthcare assistant at Avista in Roscrea, Ireland, in 2019.
She has been serving as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse at Mental Health Services, MRHP, in Portlaoise, Ireland, since 2023.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The Ulster Hall, Bedford Street, will open its doors from 9 am to 9 pm on February 10, 2025, with the general public and local boxing community invited to leave a message in a book of condolences.
- John Cooney won the title with a victory over Liam Gaynor in Dublin in November 2023. However, he spent a year out of the ring with a hand injury, returning with a win over Tampela Maharusi in October 2024.
- A Gofundme is organized to support his family and has raised more than £46,000, including a £20,000 donation from UFC star Conor McGregor.
