Georgia O’Connor shared a heartwrenching final post just days before her death at 25.
As previously reported, the professional boxer sadly passed away on May 22 after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Her promoters, BOXXER, shared the devastating news on social media: “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.
"Georgia was loved, respected, and admired by her friends here at BOXXER. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time," they concluded.
Just ten days before her passing, the inspirational athlete shared her final Instagram post - a photo of her wedding ring alongside the caption: “The day I married the love of my life.”
The post revealed she had recently wed her partner Adriano Cardinali, who had stood by her throughout her cancer battle.
In February, O’Connor wrote a powerful tribute to Cardinali: “From the moment I was diagnosed with cancer, Adriano didn’t hesitate. 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. Whilst the doctors who neglected me are stuck in their ways, he’s out there driving across Europe, finding treatments they don’t even know exist. Researching day and night, chasing down every option, making sure I have every single chance to beat this," she said.
"Adriano, you are my superhero. 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. My home. I could search the world a thousand times over and never find another man like you," she added.
O’Connor first revealed her diagnosis in a searing Instagram post on January 31, condemning the UK's National Health Service (NHS) for ignoring 17 weeks of high-risk symptoms.
Already diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)—both of which increase cancer risk - she said her repeated cries for help were dismissed.
“There’s really no easy way to say this, but I have cancer,” she wrote. “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… One even told me that it’s ‘all in my head,’” she said.
When the cancer was finally discovered, it had already spread. “They found blood clots all through my lungs. That ALONE could have killed me instantly,” she wrote.
Despite receiving a terminal diagnosis, she remained defiant: “They can say it’s terminal all they want… why the f*** should I believe them? I’m young, I’m fit, and I am stronger than they’ll ever f***ing understand.”
O’Connor’s career in combat sports was exceptional. She began with Team GB and quickly became a standout in amateur boxing, winning gold at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games and medaling at the Youth World and European Championships.
She held five national and Commonwealth titles and went undefeated in her professional career with a 3-0 record, securing victories over Ester Konecna, Erica Alvarez, and Joyce Van Ee.
She was also a three-time national taekwondo champion, an undefeated kickboxer, and a talented musician who played guitar and loved to sing. Her courage in sharing her journey made her an inspiration to many.
Tributes have continued to pour in for the late athlete on social media.
England Boxing wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Georgia O’Connor. 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.”
Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions echoed the sentiment: “Everyone at Queensberry Promotions are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Georgia O’Connor. All of our thoughts are with her friends and family during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Georgia.”
Fellow boxer Joe Laws also honored her memory, writing: “Fighter till the end rest easy bro.”
Our thoughts continue to be with O'Connor’s loved ones.