)
From being undefeated to suffering a miscarriage, Georgia O'Connor painfully passed away two weeks after her wedding.
The British boxing community is mourning the untimely death of one of its brightest young talents, Georgia O’Connor, who passed away on May 22, 2025 at the age of 25.
Known not only for her prowess in the ring but also for her resilience and spirit outside of it, O’Connor's death has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, fellow athletes, and supporters across the globe.
O’Connor’s promoter BOXXER confirmed her death in a statement, calling her “a true warrior inside and outside the ring.”“Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at Boxxer,” the promoter said in a statement as per The Guardian.
)
“ Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time.”
Ben Shalom, founder and CEO of Boxxer wrote on X: “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.”
Just two weeks before her death, O’Connor married the love of her life, Adriano Cardinali, in an intimate ceremony filled with emotion and purpose.
)
According to the BBC, she was in the throes of an aggressive cancer diagnosis that came shortly after she suffered a tragic miscarriage.
Her health battle, which she bravely documented on social media, highlighted systemic issues in the healthcare system and resonated deeply with many who have faced similar struggles.
In this article, Pulse Sports reveals 9 key things to know about the woman behind the gloves.
Who was Georgia O'Connor?
)
Georgia O'Connor was an English professional boxer.
As an amateur, she was simply elite, winning gold at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, silver at the 2017 Youth World Championships and bronze at the 2018 Youth World Championships.
)
After turning professional in 2021, she won all three of her fights in the paid ranks.
She was a black belt and three-time national champion in Taekwondo as well as being undefeated in kickboxing.
How old was Georgia O'Connor when she died?
)
Born on 18 February 2000, in Quebec, County Durham, England.
Georgia was just 25 years old when she passed.
)
Her life, though tragically short, was full of accomplishments that many take decades to achieve. F
From the ring to the classroom, from music to marriage, she lived fully and fearlessly.
Who are Georgia O'Connor's parents?
Georgia came from a close-knit family in Durham.
According to reports, O’Connor was just five years old when her father, John O’Connor, an amateur boxer himself, bought her a pair of boxing pads to practice with.
)
He wanted his daughter to grow up knowing how to defend herself.
While her parents have largely stayed out of the public eye, her tributes and interviews over the years speak volumes of the unwavering support and love they provided.
Georgia O'Connor's education
Balancing academics and elite sport, she studied for a degree in civil engineering.
Georgia O'Connor's boxing career
)
Georgia's amateur boxing career was nothing short of stellar.
As mentioned earlier, she secured a gold medal at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games and medaled in several world youth championships.
In 2021, she turned professional, entering the ring with ambition and going undefeated in her first three bouts.
)
Competing as a light-heavyweight technical skill, mental toughness, and flair made her one of Britain's most exciting boxing prospects.
Who is Georgia O'Connor's husband?
In one of the most emotional chapters of her life, Georgia married Adriano Cardinali on May 9, 2025.
“The day I married the love of my life. 🤍,” Georgia O’Connor wrote on social media two weeks ago, as she celebrated her marriage to Adriano Cardinali.
Not much is known about her Italian husband, but the two shared a deep, heartfelt connection, evident in every photo and tribute.
Georgia O'Connor's miscarriage and battle with cancer
)
BBC reported that Georgia had long struggled with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, conditions that eventually escalated into a rare form of cancer.
Despite voicing concerns for months, she revealed that doctors initially dismissed her symptoms—some even suggesting her pain was psychosomatic.
)
It wasn’t until she suffered a miscarriage that she was finally diagnosed.
Even then, she showed extraordinary bravery, undergoing chemotherapy and sharing her story to help others.
What was Georgia O’Connor’s type of cancer?
)
For two years Georgia suffered from "unbearable" cramps, bowel problems - going to the toilet between 15 and 20 times per day - and constantly feeling tired and weak while competing.
In February 2023, she was diagnosed with UC (Ulcerative colitis), which causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the colon and rectum.
)
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine, also known as the colon, that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon.
It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the innermost lining of the colon and rectum.
The inflammation can lead to symptoms like bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and the need to frequently empty your bowels.
Georgia also explained on Instagram that "UC is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system is confused and can’t tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells."
Georgia O'Connor's social media presence
)
Georgia was open and vulnerable on her social media platforms, using them to educate, advocate, and connect.
Often lauded for her striking looks, she had nearly 40,000 followers on her Instagram page, where she frequently shared photos from her professional career, lifestyle, training clips, hospital updates, candid thoughts, and her musical performances.
)
)
Georgia’s musical talents are also on full display as she played the guitar and sang during her spare time.
Her transparency gave comfort to many, turning her platform into a source of hope.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)