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John Cooney\u2019s parents Hughie and Tina at his funeral mass at the Church of St John the Apostle, in Knocknacarra, Co Galway in February 2025 (Hany Marzouk\/PA)<\/p>\nHope has been expressed that an inquest into the death of a young boxer who died after a professional fight in Belfast last year will bring change in the sport.<\/p>\n
John Cooney, 28, from Galway, died a week after suffering an injury in a title fight at the Ulster Hall in February 2025.<\/p>\n
He was treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital for an intracranial haemorrhage, also known as a bleed on the brain.<\/p>\n
John Cooney\u2019s parents Hughie and Tina at his funeral mass at the Church of St John the Apostle, in Knocknacarra, Co Galway in February 2025 (Hany Marzouk\/PA)<\/p>\n
A preliminary hearing is set to take place at Belfast Coroner\u2019s Court on Thursday.<\/p>\n
A solicitor who represents Cooney\u2019s father Hugh Cooney said the boxer\u2019s death \u201craise profound concerns about safety practices\u201d in the professional sport.<\/p>\n
Barry O\u2019Donnell, of KRW Law, said the inquest will explore not only the immediate circumstances leading to Cooney\u2019s death but the systemic regulatory environment, including whether existing safety measures, medical oversight and weight management controls were adequate.<\/p>\n
He also said this case should prompt Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights so the state ensures adequate laws and regulatory frameworks where life-threatening activities are permitted.<\/p>\n
This should include whether sufficient safeguards were in place, regulatory structures governing professional boxing were adequate, and whether any systemic failings contributed to the death.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Donnell said Mr Cooney\u2019s family want answers and seek change.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohn\u2019s death occurred in circumstances that raise profound concerns about safety practices within professional boxing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
We hope the inquest fully examines the regulatory framework governing boxing, including whether the existing systems are fit for purpose<\/p>\n
Barry O’Donnell<\/p>\n
\u201cIn particular, the extreme weight loss he endured in preparation for the fight is a matter of grave concern and, we say, a contributing factor in his death.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not an isolated issue, it reflects a wider systemic problem within boxing in this jurisdiction and across the world.<\/p>\n
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