The boxing community is mourning the loss of undefeated British professional boxer Georgia O’Connor, who has died at the age of 25.
O’Connor’s promoter Boxxer confirmed her passing in a statement, describing her as “a true warrior inside and outside the ring.”
“Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at Boxxer,” the promoter said in a statement obtained by The Guardian. “Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time.”
Ben Shalom, founder and CEO of Boxxer, expressed his condolences on social media platform X: “My heart goes out to Georgia’s parents and partner, who I know did everything they could tirelessly and are going through so much right now.”
Earlier this year, O’Connor had shared with her followers that she was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing weeks of debilitating pain. In a heartfelt Instagram post on January 31, she revealed her frustration with the medical system that she felt had failed her.
“For 17 weeks since the start of October, I’ve been in constant pain, going back and forth between Durham and Newcastle RVI A&E knowing deep down something was seriously wrong,” O’Connor wrote. “I said from the start I felt it was cancer. I KNEW the risks. I have colitis and PSC, two diseases that dramatically increase the chances of getting it. I KNOW how high my risk is and they do too. They always did.”
She continued: “But not one doctor f—— listened to me. Not one doctor took me seriously. Not one doctor did the scans or blood tests I begged for whilst crying on the floor in agony. Instead, they dismissed me. They gaslit me, told me it was nothing, made me feel like I was overreacting. They refused to scan me. They refused to investigate. They REFUSED to listen. One even told me that it’s ‘all in my head.’ And now? Now the cancer has spread.”
Despite her health challenges, which included ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, O’Connor had maintained an undefeated record since turning professional in 2021.
Her amateur career was equally impressive, highlighted by a gold medal at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, a silver medal at the 2017 Youth World Championships, and a bronze at the 2018 Youth World Championships.
O’Connor was known for openly sharing her personal journey on social media. In February, she had revealed to her followers that she had previously experienced a miscarriage, showing her willingness to discuss difficult life experiences while trying to maintain perspective during her cancer battle.
The young boxer’s passing leaves a void in the sport, where she was considered a rising star with a promising future ahead of her.
