The family of an Irish boxer who passed away on Saturday have said they are "just devastated" following his death.
Super-featherweight boxer John Cooney, from Galway, died on Saturday, February 8 - just a week after he took part in a bout against Nathan Howells in defence of his Celtic title at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.
John underwent immediate surgery following the contest but remained in a critical condition during the past week, and his death was sadly confirmed by his manager Mark Dunlop of MHD Promotions at the weekend.
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Read more: Barry McGuigan leads the tributes following death of Irish boxer
A book of condolence was opened on Monday for John, and his family attended to pay tribute to the 28-year-old boxer. Speaking to BBC News NI, his aunt Georgina Ivors said: "The people are just amazing and we're very touched."
She added they are "just devastated" at John's passing, with the family thanking the staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. His cousin Julieanne Acciaressi said: "He fought hard all week and they were fantastic."
John's manager Mark Dunlop said he "can't blame anybody" and his family "don't blame anybody" for his passing. He added: "They loved their son and they came up here to support him. It is devastating, it's just surreal that we are coming here to pay our respects to a guy that was like a family member to me.
"Really we shouldn't be here mourning him, we should really be celebrating him. Every fighter knows the dangers but, like everything, no one thinks it's going to come to their door - if that makes sense.
"In a way we're all ignorant of the fact that it's never going to come to our door. I've been in involved in boxing for 40 years. I've never experienced anything like this. I've never even come close to it. As much as it's a dangerous sport, the fatalities are rare - but they're there. It's no worse than horse racing or motorcycle racing. These are dangerous sports. You have to commend every athlete who steps in the ring."
As for how he would remember John, Mark added: "He deserves all this attention that he's getting. He was a great character, charisma. He had a big future."
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