Jake Paul, the crossover boxing superstar, has been championing the cause of women’s boxing for some time. Through his boxing promotion with Nakisa Bidarian, MVP, Paul promoted Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano in 2022, the first women’s boxing match to headline at Madison Square Garden. As such, Paul was saddened by the death of a young female boxer, Georgia O’Connor.
Jake Paul and Fans React to the Death of Georgia O’Connor
The 25-year-old O’Connor passed away after a brief battle with cancer. She suffered from ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis before the cancer diagnosis in January. Just weeks before her death, she had married her partner, Adriano Cardinali, who had left his job to be with her during the treatment.
O’Connor, who last fought in 2022, is undefeated in three fights. The all-female fight card was headlined by a highly anticipated Middleweight bout between Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall.
We are saddened to learn that British prospect Georgia O'Connor has passed away at the age of 25.
A talented amateur and rising star in the pro ranks, O'Connor was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer earlier this year.
Our thoughts are with her loved ones. Rest in peace. 🌹 pic.twitter.com/TmWSZ29Hw7
— Boxing News (@BoxingNewsED)
The news of O’Connor’s death has saddened the combat sports community, and Paul was among the first to offer his condolences. “F*** cancer. RIP Georgia. Condolences to all her family and friends,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Several fight fans joined Paul and shared their feelings. “I’m sorry for your loss, Jake. Rest in peace, Georgia,” one fan wrote.
A fan empathized, having gone through a similar incident, writing, “Sorry to hear this and sorry for your loss. I lost my father to cancer, and it truly doesn’t discriminate. She’s gone way too soon.”
“Lost my big sister and a beautiful mother to cancer just over a year ago, f*** cancer,” another fan empathized.
A fan who had personally met O’Connor commented, “Oh no I met here in Newcastle, seen her spar kerry she was so good talked to her after what a lovely woman she was . So full of spirit.”
“Its not normal for all those 25y olds to get cancer man,” a fan lamented.
Another fan commented, “Cancer is horrible. Prayers to anyone who suffers.”
Before turning professional, O’Connor had a successful stint in amateur boxing, competing at Middleweight. A gold medalist at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, O’Connor also won silver at the 2017 Youth World Championships in Guwahati and bronze in Budapest the following year.
O’Connor made her professional boxing debut against Ester Konecna on Oct. 16, 2021, winning via PTS. She won her subsequent bouts against Erica Alvarez and Joyce Van Ee similarly.
Despite her Irish origin and birth in England, the 25-year-old spent some time in France and was fluent in French during her childhood. Moreover, she had studied for a civil engineering degree before his untimely death. She also played the guitar.
In addition to boxing, O’Connor was well-versed in other combat sports. A Black belt in Taekwondo, the 25-year-old also sported an undefeated record in kickboxing.