Just days after being married, British Boxer Georgia O’Connor has died from a bout of rare aggressive cancer, according to multiple reports. She was 25.
‘We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Georgia O’Connor,” England Boxing wrote on X. “A gifted boxer and beloved member of the amateur boxing community, she won medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games, Youth Worlds & European Championships. Our thoughts are with her loved ones.”
In January, the decorated boxer publicly revealed she suffered from colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, separate diseases that ‘dramatically increase the chances’ of cancer.
In a Feb. 3 Instagram post, O’Connor revealed the diagnosis and praised her partner Adriano Cardinali.
“From the moment I was diagnosed with cancer, Adriano didn’t hesitate,’ O’Connor wrote. ‘He quit his job without a second thought and made it his mission to fight this battle alongside me. Not just by my side, but leading the charge, doing everything in his power to save me.’
‘Adriano, you are my superhero,’ the post continues. ‘My warrior, my protector, my soulmate. I have no words strong enough to explain what you mean to me; how much I love you, how much I thank you, how much I need you. You are my safe place.’
USA TODAY has reached out to O’Connor’s loved ones.
Tributes pour in for Georgia O’Connor
O’Connor’s early death sparked tributes across the global boxing community.
The World Boxing Association (WBA) expressed condolences for what it called ‘a gifted British boxer whose dedication and fighting spirit left an indelible mark on the sport.’
‘O’Connor, who rose to prominence with a standout performance at the Commonwealth Youth Games, showcased extraordinary talent every time she stepped between the ropes,’ WBA wrote.
BOXXER, a British professional boxing promotional company based in Manchester, England, wrote social media its employees were heartbroken at the loss.
‘A true warrior inside and outside the ring, the boxing community has lost a talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon,’ the company posted on X. ‘Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends.’
‘It’s hard to make sense of this,’ BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom posted on X, calling O’Connor an inspirational human. 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.’
Sky Sports wrote on X, “The thoughts of everyone at Sky Sports Boxing are with Joe Gallagher and Georgia O’Connor.”
Gallagher, a British’s former amateur boxer turned boxing coach, was being treated for stage 4 bowl and liver cancer, The Guardian reported. His most recent social media posts took place last week.
Was Georgia O’Connor married?
O’Connor married Cardinali on May 9, according post on her Instagram page, showing a pair of hands with wedding bands.
“The day I married the love of my life,” O’Connor wrote in the caption, which appears be her last on the social media platform.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
