Boxer Omar Henry passed away at 25-years-old on Friday in a Chicago hospital after dealing with gall bladder cancer.
Henry had a fight scheduled on Showtime on Nov. 16, but he did not feel well before the fight and after seeing a doctor he was diagnosed with Stage 4 gall bladder cancer. Henry had a 12-0-1 before he was diagnosed.
The boxer hoped that he could one day be a champion and wrote in a post in January that he hoped to live to celebrate his 26th birthday on Feb. 8. Sadly, he did not make it.
Henry wrote: "I got exactly less than 1 month left until my 26th birthday February 8. Hopefully I live to see it. I really have been getting a lot of support with kind words and prayers from all over the world with this battle with cancer. Thank you and I will continue to fight for us!!!!"
Henry was of Puerto Rican and African American descent and was born and raised in Chicago. He was a member of the USA Boxing Elite Boxing Program and made the quarterfinals of the 2007 National Golden Gloves. Henry won his professional debut in 2008 and later signed with Don King Productions.
Many fans took to his Facebook and Twitter pages to express support and Henry did some interviews, with FightHype published on Dec. 12, in which he said he felt blessed but was struggling to think of the future.
"As of right now, I got a lot of mixed feelings. Overall, I feel blessed. I'm living right now, but I've been taking it one day at a time because it makes my head hurt and body ache thinking too far ahead."
He also spoke about his career and his struggle with knowing he only had weeks to live.
"I will find out tomorrow if I'm free of cancer or if I won't be here to see 2013. That's what they told me. Life and death has never come so close, especially since I was so close to the top and being close to the top of my career. I was about to headline Showtime at 25 years old, in the prime of my career. Now, I could literally be dead tomorrow, and this is the scariest thing I can think of. God has a purpose and we can't question God."
He posted on Facebook on Sunday and vowed to continue to fight for his life and was gracious to everyone for their support.
"To all my friends and loyal fans I want to inform you all that I am fighting the fight of my life against a disease known as gallbladder cancer. While lm in this current state I am fighting with my family by my side and I will not go down for the count. I am a champion who has chosen to fight not just for myself but for those who's faith is believing in what u cant see, and i will continue to fight!!!!!and fight!!!!!and fight!!!!!till I knock this sickness out. Your love and support mean the most to me, your prayers are prayers not only to me but to others like me. Please be advised l am grateful for any and all support in any kind of way please inbox me. My family has continued to be by my side, and its hard for them as well. I want to thank God for unconditional love and unconditional fans."
