Farewell to Georgia O’Connor: Boxing Mourns the Loss of a Bright and Brave Talent

Durham boxer O’Connor dies aged 25 after courageous battle with illness

The boxing world is in mourning following the tragic passing of Georgia O’Connor, a gifted and courageous young fighter from Durham, who has died at just 25 years old. The former amateur standout and undefeated professional was widely admired for both her talent inside the ring and her bravery outside of it. Her death, announced this week, comes just months after she publicly revealed a cancer diagnosis, following an earlier battle with ulcerative colitis.

O’Connor, whose professional career had only just begun to gather pace, leaves behind a legacy of determination, promise, and quiet strength that touched all corners of the boxing community.

From prodigy to pro: A star on the rise

Born and raised in the North East of England, Georgia O’Connor was a standout talent in British boxing from a young age. She made her mark as an amateur, winning gold at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, and collecting further medals on the international stage, including at the Youth World Championships and European Championships. She was widely tipped for a future in Olympic boxing before making the switch to the professional ranks.

In 2021, she signed with promoter Ben Shalom’s Boxxer, a rising force in British boxing promotion, and quickly became one to watch. O’Connor went undefeated in her first three pro bouts, showcasing the same slick southpaw skills, work ethic and poise under pressure that had served her so well as an amateur.

“We are heartbroken by the passing of Georgia O’Connor,” read a heartfelt statement from Boxxer. “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.”

Fighting more than opponents: A battle with illness

O’Connor’s final year was marked by extraordinary resilience. After dealing with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, she was later diagnosed with cancer—a development she made public earlier in 2024.

True to her character, Georgia remained composed and positive in the face of enormous personal challenges. She continued to connect with fans and supporters through social media, never losing the grace and honesty that endeared her to so many. In a moving personal update just two weeks before her passing, she announced that she had married her long-time boyfriend, and changed her surname to Cardinali.

It was a moment of joy amidst the storm—a reminder that Georgia was more than a boxer, more than an athlete. She was, first and foremost, a woman living fully, loving fiercely, and refusing to be defined by illness.

Tributes pour in from across the boxing world

Since news of her death broke, tributes have come in from across the British boxing community, many reflecting on the warmth of her personality as much as her sporting achievements.

British world title contender Jack Catterall, UFC star Molly McCann, and former unified super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron were among the many fighters who shared messages of condolence and remembrance.

“She was such a sweet soul with an unbelievable amount of strength,” McCann wrote. “The kind of person you were always rooting for.”

England Boxing, the governing body of amateur boxing in England, also paid tribute to O’Connor’s contribution to the sport: “A gifted boxer and beloved member of the amateur boxing community, she won medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games, Youth Worlds and European Championships. Georgia was not only talented but a joy to be around.”

A loss beyond the sport

Georgia O’Connor: Tributes pour in as boxer dies aged 25 after cancer battle

Georgia’s passing feels especially cruel because of all she represented: not just promise unfulfilled, but a model of sportsmanship, integrity, and quiet resilience in an industry that can sometimes forget its human side.

Though her professional record showed just three fights, her influence stretched far wider. She was a beacon for young women entering boxing, especially in the North East, where role models in the sport remain few and far between. She was vocal about the mental health challenges that can come with the pressures of elite sport, and she used her platform to support others who were struggling, long before her own health began to deteriorate.

It’s that generosity of spirit that many will remember most.

A legacy that lives on

At just 25, Georgia O’Connor leaves behind not just a grieving family and heartbroken community, but also a legacy of strength and inspiration that will echo through British boxing for years to come. In a sport that often lionises toughness above all else, Georgia quietly redefined what strength looks like.

She wasn’t loud. She wasn’t brash. She didn’t need to be. Her courage spoke louder than words ever could.

As fans and fellow fighters alike come to terms with her untimely loss, the hope now is that the sport she loved can honour her memory—not only with words, but with action. By supporting young fighters more holistically. By improving awareness of athletes’ health and well-being. By remembering that behind every pair of gloves is a human story.

Final bell for a warrior

In the final act of her life, Georgia chose love. Love for her family, for her sport, and for her new husband. It is that same love—and not just the fights or the medals—that will define her legacy.

Rest in peace, Georgia O’Connor Cardinali. You fought every round with courage, and though the bell has rung far too soon, your story will inspire for generations to come.