A talented and promising boxer has tragically passed away at the young age of 25 after alleging that medical professionals ignored her cancer symptoms for an extended period.
Georgia O’Connor, hailing from Durham in the UK, had a successful career as a Team GB amateur boxer during her junior years and achieved a gold medal victory at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017.
In a heartfelt revelation made in January of this year, O’Connor disclosed her diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, a persistent inflammatory bowel condition, alongside a terminal cancer diagnosis.
On Instagram, she shared her devastating news: “There’s really no easy way to say this, but I have cancer.”
“Now that’s out the way, it’s time to expose the absolute incompetent RATS that have allowed this to happen.”
O’Connor recounted enduring 17 weeks of ‘constant pain’ and making numerous visits to hospitals and doctors.
She expressed a deep awareness that ‘something was seriously wrong,’ citing her existing high cancer risk due to her colitis and PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis).
“But not one doctor f***ing listened to me,” she lamented. “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.'”
Georgia bravely shared that her cancer had spread and that doctors had also discovered life-threatening blood clots in her lungs.
She voiced her frustrations about the inadequacies of the National Health Service, stating: “They could have done something before it got to this stage.”
“They can say it’s terminal all they want. They can tell me I’m going to die. But after taking 17, SEVENTEEN weeks to even figure out what was wrong with me, why the f*** should I believe them?”
During her 25th birthday celebration, O’Connor revealed the heartbreaking experiences she faced within a few months, including a miscarriage and her terminal cancer diagnosis.
“I have what people consider the worst disease known to man, but I’m still able to smile, laugh and be myself,” she wrote.
In a beautiful moment, O’Connor married her partner, Adriano, just two weeks before her passing, sharing on Instagram: “09.05.2025. The day I married the love of my life.”
In response to the sad news, a spokesperson for the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust expressed their condolences: “We are very sorry to hear the news about Georgia’s death and offer our sincere condolences to the family.”
“We appreciate this a very difficult time, but when and if the family want to raise any concerns with us, we’d urge them to get in touch.”
Tributes have poured in for Georgia, including from her former promoter, Ben Shalom’s Boxxer, who stated: “We are heartbroken by the passing of Georgia O’Connor. A true warrior inside and outside the ring, the boxing community has lost a talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon,” according to the BBC.
“Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at Boxxer. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time.”
World champion Ellie Scotney, who had a friendship with O’Connor spanning a decade, described her as the ‘most beautiful human.’
“I was so blessed with not just a friend for 10 years, but a sister for life,” Scotney shared.
“Even when life was on a timer, you never let anything dim that light of yours. A smile that never ever fades, and a heart that will forever live on in so many ways.”
“There was nothing you couldn’t do, the world at your very feet no matter what room you entered.”
England Boxing also paid tribute, acknowledging O’Connor as a ‘gifted boxer’ and a ‘beloved member of the amateur boxing community.’
For anyone affected by these issues and in need of confidential support, the American Cancer Society is available at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat feature, accessible 24/7 every day of the year.