Belfast-based boxer John Cooney is in intensive care after his defeat to Welshman Nathan Howells on the Ulster Corridor on Saturday.
Cooney was stopped within the ninth spherical of the combat, which was the primary defence of his Celtic super-featherweight title, and subsequently underwent surgical procedure.
In an announcement, Cooney’s promoter Mark Dunlop stated: “Following John Cooney’s epic title combat on the Ulster Corridor on Saturday night, John was assessed by the onsite medical group of the British Boxing Board of Management and swiftly taken to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for additional remedy.
“On arrival on the RVH it was found that John had an intercranial haemorrhage and underwent fast surgical procedure to alleviate the strain on his mind.
“John is presently within the intensive care unit and within the succesful fingers of the hospital ICU group.
“John’s fiancée Emmaleen and his mother and father Hughie and Tina wish to thank everybody for his or her personal messages of help and would ask they maintain John of their ideas and prayers at the moment as he faces his hardest battle.”
Howells launched an announcement on social media on Monday to want his opponent a speedy restoration, posting on Instagram: “I do know a number of of my lot have been asking about John and I have been ready to listen to myself. I have not heard something but however this is the newest replace from the promoter.
“Genuinely by no means needed for any of this to occur, I simply went on the market to field. I want nothing however the easiest for John an his household and hope he comes house secure and sound. I do not truly know him myself, however he looks as if a very respectful and good man.
“What I do know is he is a match and robust younger man and he can beat this and are available out the opposite aspect. My ideas and prayers exit to his household and mates and he’ll endlessly have my respect.
“We shared a hoop collectively and the boy by no means as soon as give up or appeared for a method out. Get nicely quickly mate – all the perfect.”
Cooney gained the Celtic super-featherweight title with a first-round victory over Liam Gaynor in Dublin in November 2023, a part of the identical sell-out present that noticed Katie Taylor defeat Chantelle Cameron by majority resolution.
He spent a yr out of the ring with a hand harm however returned to defeat Tampela Maharusi at York Corridor in October, whereas his loss on Saturday was his first as knowledgeable.
