Galway boxer John Cooney remains “very critical” after Belfast bout

"There is only one John Cooney."

The 28-year-old was taken to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital following his loss to Welshman Nathan Howells at the Ulster Hall, and underwent surgery for a brain injury and was placed in intensive care.

His mother Tina wrote a poignant message for her son on social media:

Speaking on Radio Ulster, Belfast fighter and former world champion, Carl Frampton, said:

“It is horrible My heart goes out to John and his family and anyone else involved in boxing who has ever suffered like John has,” the Tigers Bay man said.

"It is obviously one of the downsides to our sport – a sport that can be very brutal at times and it is just not nice. It is extremely sad.

“I can't comment on the fight because I didn't see it.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mr. Cooney and has raised over £17,000 so far.