Introduction:
Georgia O’Connor, a talented British professional boxer, tragically passed away at the age of 25 from cancer. A decorated Team GB athlete, O’Connor had an impressive boxing career, winning the Commonwealth Youth gold in 2017, and achieving five National and Commonwealth titles, as well as two World and European medals. Her unexpected passing has drawn attention to the failures in the healthcare system she had to endure during her final months.
A Bright Career Cut Short:
O’Connor turned professional in 2021, going 3-0 in her career, with her last fight in October 2022 at the O2 Arena in London. Known for her toughness and skill, she was seen as a rising star in the boxing world. However, just months after sharing her cancer diagnosis in January 2025, she passed away on May 22, 2025.
Boxer Georgia O’Connor married her husband days before dying of cancer.
Instagram / georgiaoconnor_1
A Painful Journey and Frustration with Healthcare:
Before her death, O’Connor bravely shared her battle with cancer on social media, expressing the frustrations she had with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). She detailed the 17 weeks of agony she endured while doctors dismissed her concerns about her health.
Despite having colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), two diseases that significantly raise the risk of cancer, O’Connor felt that her doctors didn’t take her condition seriously. In a heart-wrenching post, she revealed that despite her constant pain and repeated visits to emergency rooms, she was repeatedly told her symptoms were not serious and was denied crucial tests, including scans and blood work.
“I knew deep down something was seriously wrong,” she wrote. “I said from the start I felt it was cancer… They always did [know the risks] but didn’t listen. They gaslit me, told me it was nothing, made me feel like I was overreacting.”
The Tragic Outcome:
O’Connor’s condition worsened, and it was only later that doctors discovered her cancer had spread. Even more alarming, they found multiple blood clots in her lungs, which posed an additional life-threatening risk. She condemned the NHS for their failure to act in time, accusing the system of failing young people like her.
PA
In her final message, O’Connor described the NHS as a “broken system” that allowed her cancer to progress to an advanced stage, despite the clear signs of her condition. “They could have done something before it got to this stage. But they didn’t,” she said. “A system that makes people suffer… that lets cancer spread whilst the thick, stupid, mindless ‘doctors’ shrug their shoulders.”
O’Connor’s Legacy:
O’Connor’s passing has left the boxing world and her fans devastated. Her promotion company, BOXXER, shared their condolences on social media, remembering her as a “true warrior inside and outside the ring.” The statement described O’Connor as a “talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon.”
Conclusion:
Georgia O’Connor’s death is a stark reminder of the importance of listening to patients and ensuring that healthcare systems do not fail those in need. Her tragic story has shed light on the critical issues within the NHS and has sparked conversations about the importance of timely medical intervention.
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