Georgia O’Connor revealed she was diagnosed with terminal cancer just months ago, claiming ‘no one’ took her seriously
A promising professional boxer has tragically passed away at the tender age of 25 after enduring months of medical neglect over her cancer symptoms.
Georgia O’Connor, hailing from Durham in the UK, was a celebrated Team GB amateur boxer during her junior years, having secured gold at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.
Earlier this year, in January, the rising star disclosed her heartbreaking diagnosis of ulcerative colitis—a chronic inflammatory bowel condition—and terminal cancer.
Sharing the devastating news on Instagram, she candidly wrote: “There’s really no easy way to say this, but I have cancer.”
The young woman has died (Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
“Now that’s out of the way, it’s time to call out the utterly incompetent RATS who let this happen,” O’Connor declared.
She recounted enduring relentless pain for 17 weeks, making repeated trips to hospitals and doctors’ offices.
She was certain something was gravely wrong and knew she was already high-risk for cancer due to her colitis and PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis).
“But not a single doctor gave a damn,” she insisted. “Not one took me seriously. Not one ordered the scans or blood tests I pleaded for while I was crying in agony on the floor.”
O’Connor revealed in January she had been diagnosed with cancer (Instagram/georgiaoconnor_1)
“Instead, they brushed me off. 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 outright REFUSED to listen. One even had the audacity to say it was ‘all in my head.’”
The young fighter painfully revealed that not only had her cancer metastasized, but doctors had also discovered life-threatening blood clots lodged in her lungs.
She didn’t hold back in condemning the NHS, lamenting, “They could have acted before it spiraled to this point.”
“They can label it terminal all they want. They can predict my death. But after dragging their feet for 17, SEVENTEEN weeks just to figure out what was wrong with me, why on earth should I believe a single word they say?”
The boxing star in March this year (Jordan Peck/Getty Images)
Marking her 25th birthday just a month prior, O’Connor revealed the heartbreaking toll of recent months — enduring a miscarriage and receiving an incurable cancer diagnosis.
“I have what many consider the most devastating disease known to man, yet I still manage to smile, laugh, and be true to myself,” she wrote poignantly.
Just two weeks ago, O’Connor married her partner, Adriano, commemorating the moment in her final Instagram post: “09.05.2025. The day I married the love of my life.”
In response to the tragic news, a spokesperson from Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust expressed their condolences: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Georgia’s passing and extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family.
“We understand this is an incredibly difficult time, and should the family wish to raise any concerns with us, we encourage them to reach out.”
Since her death, an outpouring of tributes has flooded in, including from her former promoter, Ben Shalom of Boxxer, who told the BBC: “We are heartbroken by the loss of Georgia O’Connor. A true warrior both inside and outside the ring, the boxing community has lost a talented, brave, and determined young woman far too soon.
“Georgia was deeply loved, respected, and admired by everyone at Boxxer. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this painful time.”
Tributes have been flooding in (Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
World champion Ellie Scotney, a close friend of O’Connor for over a decade, honored her as “the most beautiful human.”
“I was incredibly fortunate not just to have a friend for ten years, but a sister for life,” Scotney shared.
“Even when time was against you, your light never faltered. A smile that refused to fade, and a heart that will live on eternally in countless ways.
“There was nothing beyond your reach — the world lay at your feet wherever you went.”
England Boxing also paid tribute, calling O’Connor a “gifted boxer” and a “cherished member of the amateur boxing community.”
If these stories resonate with you or you need someone to talk to, the American Cancer Society is available around the clock at 1-800-227-2345 or through their 24/7 live chat service.
Featured Image Credit: James Chance/Getty
