Boxer Georgia O`Connor shared a poignant final message on Instagram just over a week before her tragic passing.
The inspiring athlete, who secured Commonwealth Youth gold in 2017, first disclosed her cancer diagnosis in January.
She had also previously been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.
The entire boxing community stood by O`Connor until her sad death at the age of 25 from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
In her last Instagram post, made ten days before she died, the courageous boxer announced that she had married her boyfriend, Adriano.
Accompanying a photo of her wedding ring, she wrote: “The day I married the love of my life.”
The post received an outpouring of support and well-wishes for the Durham native from within the boxing community.
In February, O`Connor posted a heartfelt tribute to her husband, Adriano, calling him her “superhero.”
She wrote: “If you have a man who loves you more than anything, who would burn the whole world down before he’d let it take you, hold on to him, because that kind of love is rare.”
“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…”
“Researching day and night, chasing down every option, making sure I have every single chance to beat this.”
“I have never known love like this. A love that doesn’t flinch, doesn’t break, doesn’t even hesitate.”
“A love that says ‘we do this together, no matter what.’ No matter how dark the nights get, no matter how hard the days are, I have him, and he has me.”
“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.”
“Everything we’ve been through, we go through together. Every fight, every battle, every victory.”
“We take it all, hand in hand. And we will win. My real-life prince. My reason. My forever.”
Tributes poured in for the brave fighter, who held a 3-0 professional record after making her debut in 2021.
Her promoters, Boxxer, posted: “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.”
Frank Warren`s Queensberry Promotions added: “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.”
England Boxing also commented: “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.”
Beyond boxing, O`Connor was a versatile athlete, holding three national titles in taekwondo and maintaining an undefeated record in kickboxing.
Outside of sports, she enjoyed playing guitar and singing. She became an inspiration to many by openly sharing her journey battling cancer.
