The boxing world is in mourning. Fans and followers are heartbroken by the tragic loss of young boxer Georgia O’Connor. The undefeated fighter from Durham was just 25 when she passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer. Her untimely death has left many devastated. A promising life cut short far too soon. Among those expressing grief was Claressa Shields, who joined countless others in honoring O’Connor’s memory with a heartfelt tribute.

After a stellar amateur career, Georgia O’Connor made her professional debut four years ago. In February 2023, a few months after her third professional bout, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC). Later, in January, she revealed in an Instagram post that she had also been suffering from PSC (primary sclerosing cholangitis). On May 9, earlier this month, she married her longtime partner, Adriano Cardinali.

Georgia O’Connor: A beautiful soul taken too soon

“RIP Georgia 😢😢😢 My feelings are so hurt,” wrote Shields in her message of condolence. Recalling O’Connor’s tenacity and her relentless spirit, Shields added, “I’m gonna miss such a kind and beautiful spirit. Some people are just too precious to this world.” In a separate post, Shields shared screenshots of their conversations and expressed gratitude to Georgia and her family for their warmth and hospitality during her visit to the UK for the Savannah Marshall bout. Notably, O’Connor’s final professional match, against Joyce Van Ee, took place on the undercard of the Shields-Marshall event at London’s O2 Arena.

“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,” said BOXXER’s Ben Shalom, who promoted O’Connor. He also expressed his condolences to her family and noted that she was ‘loved, respected, and admired by her friends’ at BOXXER.

On January 31, Georgia O’Connor publicly shared her cancer diagnosis through an Instagram post. “There’s really no easy way to say this, but I have cancer…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,” she wrote.

Despite numerous attempts to raise concerns about her health, O’Connor said her warnings were repeatedly ignored. “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 explained.

In her message, she expressed feeling overlooked and dismissed by the healthcare system, despite her ongoing symptoms and underlying conditions such as colitis and PSC.

The grit and grace of a true warrior

Georgia O’Connor began boxing as a teenager and briefly lived in France during her childhood. Before dedicating herself fully to the sport, she also practiced and excelled in taekwondo and kickboxing. She earned numerous accolades during her amateur boxing career, which included five national titles, a silver medal at the AIBA Youth Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2017, and gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau. In 2018, she added a bronze medal at the Budapest Youth World Championships.

Although her Olympic dreams remained unfulfilled, O’Connor appeared content with what she had achieved. Marking her professional debut on October 16, 2021, O’Connor fought Ester Konecna. The card at Newcastle Arena featured Savannah Marshall, Hughie Fury, and Chris Eubank Jr., among others. Five months later, returning on yet another Savannah Marshal headliner, she defeated Erica Juana Gabriela Alvarez.

Georgia O’Connor was pursuing a degree outside of boxing. While some sources stated law and others civil engineering, it nevertheless reflected her wide-ranging interests and ambitions. She could box, play the guitar, and sing. Even as she faced challenge after challenge, she met them all with remarkable resilience.

At EssentiallySports, we extend our deepest condolences to Georgia O’Connor’s family and loved ones as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.