“It takes a lot of courage in that cage, no matter who you are.” This week, the tragic passing of 28-year-old rising star John Conney shocked and saddened the combat sports world. The fighter, who was defending his Celtic Super Featherweight title against Nathan Howells at Ulster Hall in Belfast earlier this month, sustained a severe brain injury. The bout, which took place in the 9th round, was halted when Conney showed signs of serious trauma. He was immediately attended to by medical staff ringside and rushed to Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital.
On Saturday, John Conney’s promoter, Mark Dunlop, on behalf of Conney’s family, shared the devastating news of his passing after he had “fought for a week for his life.” Dunlop wrote on social media, “It is with great sadness to announce that after a week of battling for his life, John Cooney has sadly passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Cooney and his fiancée Emmaleen would like to thank the staff at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital who worked tirelessly to save John’s life, and to everyone who sent messages of support and prayers. 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.”
Despite relentless rescue efforts, they could not save the promising Irish athlete. The combat sports world—spanning MMA, boxing, and Muay Thai—came together to mourn the loss and honor the legacy of such a bright talent. Fellow Irish UFC megastar Conor McGregor paid tribute to Conney by posting a video clip on Instagram Stories, showcasing the young fighter’s brief yet impactful legacy. The caption read, “Rest in peace, warrior John Conney,” followed by a prayer emoji. In 2023, the 28-year-old boxer earned his championship title by defeating Lian Gaynor. However, a head injury kept Conney sidelined for most of 2024. He made a strong return in October 2024 with a victory over Tampela Maharusi.
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The post “Rest in Peace Warrior” – Conor McGregor Mourns the Tragic Demise of 28-Year-Old Irish Boxer John Cooney appeared first on EssentiallySports.
