Omar Henry is fighting for his life.
The unbeaten prospect is currently suffering from Stage Four Pancreatic Cancer, a condition he first learned of when he checked into the hospital back in November for gall stones. That week he had been scheduled to make his ShoBox debut against Juan Ubaldo Cabrera. That fight was cancelled and now his career and life are hanging in the balance.
Before his illness was discovered, Henry craved the spotlight. Now, he is just hoping to make it to his next birthday. Two months after his diagnosis, his weight has gone from 175 lbs. to just 130 lbs, as he waits for another round of the chemotherapy he hopes will cure him.
He is surrounded by his friends at the hospital who remain cautiously optimistic. He turns 26 on February 8, and that is the goal that Omar Henry has set for himself. He wants to make it to that day. However, he also has goals that are longer term.
“I’m coming back by the end of the year,” insists Henry.
Those are big goals for a fighter whose last fight was in June of last year. In that contest, he won all ten rounds against Tyrone Selders. The desire to make a comeback may seem like a long shot, but it is hopes such as those that are necessary for a person who desires to overcome such an ailment. As long as he remains confident and receives support from friends and family, he believes he can achieve just such a feat.
“Keep praying for me. I promise, you will see me again in the ring.”
He is scheduled for his next round of chemotherapy, something he understandably didn’t enjoy the first time around, on Monday.
