The professional boxer, who was undefeated in three fights, married her partner just 13 days before her death
A rising star in the boxing world, undefeated professional pugilist Georgia O’Connor has tragically passed away at just 25 years old, less than four months after receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis.
The sporting community has been flooded with heartfelt tributes honoring the young athlete, who fought bravely despite initially having her symptoms dismissed by medical professionals.
Turning professional in 2021, O’Connor made a striking impression early on. In October of that year, she faced off against Czech contender Ester Konecna on the undercard of the high-profile Chris Eubank Jr. versus Wanik Awdijan fight—an event marked by Eubank Jr.’s victory.
April 2022 saw O’Connor step into the ring again, this time taking on Argentina’s Erica Juana Gabriela Alvarez, securing another hard-fought win.
Her final professional bout came in October 2022 against Belgium-born Joyce Van Ee, where the English boxer completed a flawless three-fight winning streak, leaving the ring undefeated.
Georgia O’Connor celebrates victory over Erica Juana Gabriela Alvarez during their Super-Welterweight contest at Utilita Arena, in April 2022 (Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
Who was Georgia O’Connor?
Hailing from Durham, England, Georgia O’Connor was a celebrated Team GB amateur boxer during her junior years, clinching gold at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.
Her decorated career included five National and Commonwealth titles, alongside twice earning medals at both World and European championships.
After turning professional in 2021, O’Connor maintained her unbeaten streak, triumphing in all three of her professional bouts.
Beyond the ring, she expressed a passion for music, delighting fans with her guitar playing and vocal talents in a 2023 Instagram clip.
In a bittersweet turn of events, Georgia married her partner on May 9, only to tragically pass away less than two weeks later, on May 22.
What did O’Connor say in her post?
On January 31, the boxer took to Instagram to reveal her devastating cancer diagnosis, unleashing a scathing critique of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Her message began with unflinching honesty: “There’s really no easy way to say this, but I have cancer. Now that’s out of the way, it’s time to expose the absolute incompetent RATS that have allowed this to happen.”
She recounted enduring 17 weeks of relentless pain, shuttling between Durham and Newcastle RVI A&E since early October, all the while sensing that something was gravely wrong. “From the start, I believed it was cancer. I KNEW the risks,” she wrote.
O’Connor also shared that she suffers from colitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a liver condition, both of which significantly elevate her risk of developing cancer.
O’Connor pictured with her husband in February, whom she married just 13 days before her death (Instagram/georgiaoconnor_1)
She went on to reveal how her existing health issues placed her in a high-risk category for cancer — yet her pleas were met with indifference and disbelief from medical professionals.
“Not a single doctor took me seriously. Not one performed the scans or blood tests I desperately begged for while I was crying on the floor in agony,” she lamented.
“Instead, I was dismissed, gaslit, told it was nothing, made to feel like I was overreacting. They flat-out refused to scan me or investigate further. One even coldly claimed it was ‘all in my head.’”
The young athlete delivered a heart-wrenching revelation that her cancer had metastasized and that doctors had discovered potentially deadly blood clots scattered throughout her lungs.
“And now? The cancer has spread. If that wasn’t horrific enough, there have been BLOOD CLOTS all over my lungs the entire time. That alone could have killed me instantly.”
Labeling the NHS as a “broken system,” she fiercely condemned the institution: “They could have acted before it reached this stage. But they didn’t. Because this is the state of the NHS — a shattered system that repeatedly fails young people like me.”
She continued, “It’s a system that lets people suffer, sends them home in agony, and allows cancer to spread while the thick, ignorant, mindless ‘doctors’ just shrug their shoulders.”
Yet, despite the bleak prognosis, she declared her defiance: “They can call it terminal all they want. They can tell me I’m going to die. But after seventeen weeks — SEVENTEEN — just to figure out what was wrong with me, why the hell should I believe them?”
O’Connor, pictured in March, blasted the NHS in a fiery statement posted on Instagram (Instagram/georgiaoconnor_1)
“I’m young, I’m fit and I am stronger than they’ll ever f***ing understand. Mentally. Physically. Every single way. I’m still smiling and that smile will NEVER fade, no matter what.
“We’ve already got an amazing oncologist on my case and we’ve made sure I’m going to have the best treatment and healing possible. Starting NOW.
“F*** the doctors who failed me. F*** the system that let this happen. And when I beat this like I’ve beat everything that’s tried to end me before, they’re all going to get what’s f***ing coming to them.”
What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder that significantly heightens the risk of developing cancer.
According to the NHS website, “Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed. The colon is the large intestine (bowel) and the rectum is the end of the bowel where stool is stored.
“Small ulcers may form on the colon’s lining, which can bleed and produce pus.”
Explaining the progression to cancer, the NHS states: “Individuals with ulcerative colitis face an increased risk of bowel cancer (affecting the colon, rectum, or bowel), particularly if the disease is severe or widespread throughout the colon.
“The risk escalates the longer the ulcerative colitis persists. Often, those with ulcerative colitis are unaware they have bowel cancer because the early symptoms closely resemble those of the underlying condition.”
NHS Response
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Georgia’s passing and extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family.
“We understand this is an incredibly challenging time, and we encourage the family to reach out if they wish to raise any concerns with us.”
For anyone affected by similar health issues and seeking confidential support, the American Cancer Society can be contacted at 1-800-227-2345 or via their 24/7 live chat service, available every day of the year.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/georgiaoconnor_1