​Cassondra Gainey, from North Carolina, was diagnosed with cancer in January 2024 [BBC]A woman who lost her job after being diagnosed with cancer has flown nearly 4,000 miles from US to see the Birmingham boxer who helped bring a smile back to her face.Cassondra Gainey, from North Carolina, discovered Ben Whittaker, of Wolverhampton, through his social media videos and said they made her laugh.”I love his confidence and his fighting style, and I like that you’re able to see his personality through his fighting style,” she told the BBC, after her 3,899 mile (6274 km) journey.Her UK jaunt will see Whittaker superfan Gainey head for Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Saturday, where she will be sitting three rows from the front in his world title eliminator bout against Conor Wallace.Ben Whittaker will take on Conor Wallace at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Saturday [Getty Images]Gainey said: “For the first time in a long time, I felt happy. He makes me happy just watching him.”I was diagnosed with cancer in January 2024. It’s been a rough two years.”My agency was abolished and I was separated in April this year. I was sort of just lounging around on the couch, not being productive at all.”Throughout this tumultuous time, she turned to social media for distraction and relief from her struggles.”I was watching TikTok reels and some Ben Whittaker highlight reels came up. I just started watching and laughing. I hadn’t felt a response like that before,” Gainey continued.”I just kept watching and I was laughing and laughing.”
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