The tragic passing of British professional boxer Georgia O'Connor, at the tender age of 25, has left the boxing world in mourning. Her promoter, Boxxer, confirmed the heart-wrenching news in a statement, honoring her as "a genuine warrior, both within and beyond the squared circle."
"Georgia was cherished, held in high esteem, and admired by everyone at Boxxer," the promoter's statement, obtained by The Guardian, poignantly expressed. "Our deepest condolences are with her beloved family and friends during this incredibly challenging time."
Ben Shalom, the founder and CEO of Boxxer, further added on X with genuine empathy: "My heart aches for Georgia's parents and partner, who have tirelessly done everything in their power and are currently enduring unimaginable pain."
Earlier this year, O'Connor, in a heartfelt Instagram post, revealed her harrowing journey of being diagnosed with cancer after enduring weeks of excruciating pain that went unnoticed by doctors for over four months. "For seventeen long weeks, starting from October, I was engulfed in relentless pain, shuffling between Durham and Newcastle RVI A&E, knowing deep within that something was gravely amiss," she penned on January 31. "From the onset, I suspected cancer. I was aware of the risks, given my colitis and PSC—conditions that drastically elevate one's cancer risk. They knew it too, always did."
Continuing her post, O'Connor lamented, "Yet, not a single doctor lent me an ear. Not one took me seriously. Not one conducted the scans or blood tests I desperately pleaded for, crying in agony on the floor. Instead, they dismissed my pleas, gaslit me, dismissing it as nothing, making me feel like I was overreacting. They refused to scan me, refused to investigate, REFUSED to listen. One even callously suggested it was 'all in my head.' And behold, the cancer has metastasized."
Despite battling ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, O'Connor remained undefeated in her professional boxing matches since her debut in 2021. Her amateur career shone brightly with a gold medal at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, a silver at the 2017 Youth World Championships, and a bronze at the 2018 Youth World Championships.
O'Connor was candid about sharing intimate aspects of her life on Instagram, even attempting to maintain perspective amidst her cancer diagnosis. In February, she bravely disclosed her previous miscarriage. "The past few months have been a whirlwind," she wrote. "I was pregnant with a beautiful baby, suffered a miscarriage, and then received a diagnosis of 'incurable' cancer. Yet, I still feel on top of the world!"
Just last week, the resilient athlete announced her marriage to her long-term beau Adriano Cardinali earlier that month. "09.05.2025. The day I wed the love of my life," she captioned a tender image of her husband's hand covering hers.
