Delicious Orie has been touted as the UK's next heavyweight contender
England’s golden boy Delicious Orie has been touted as the UK’s next heavyweight contender after growing up in Russia and sparring with Anthony Joshua… but does the Commonwealth champion have what it takes to meet division’s standard?
- Orie, originally born in Russia, moved to Wolverhampton and learned to box at 18
- He decided to pursue boxing seriously after watching Anthony Joshua in action
- The 25-year-old has been touted as the next AJ due to his success on the canvas
- Orie is eager to create his own style and stay out of the shadows of boxing greats
- He is also looking to pick up a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024
Delicious Orie stole the headlines after coming back from behind to beat India’s Sagar Ahlawat and claim the super-heavyweight gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Orie had been touted as the next Anthony Joshua long before the tournament in Birmingham got underway, but his recent achievements have seen people draw more similarities than ever between the pair.
Orie will now turn his attention to preparing for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. A gold medal at the iconic event could see him turn professional and go toe-to-toe with some of the heavyweight division’s most iconic boxers.
Delicious Orie stole the headlines after winning the super-heavyweight gold medal
Orie was born in Moscow to a Nigerian father and Russian mother but left the country of his birth at just seven years old to move to England.
The super-heavyweight boxer and his family settled down in Wolverhampton – where the 25-year-old rising star has lived ever since.
Orie secured a degree in economics from Aston University and became one of the UK’s most promising boxing prospects after picking up the sport at 18 years old.
Orie – who played a multitude of other sports while growing up – decided to pursue boxing seriously after watching Anthony Joshua in action.
The 25-year-old beat India’s Sagar Ahlawat to secure his place at the tournament champion
Orie – who was originally born in Moscow, Russia – was able to find a fast-track to British citizenship, allowing him to fight in Birmingham
He joined the Jewellery Quarter Boxing Club in Birmingham – close to where he lived – and trained regularly.
Speaking about his journey to boxing, Orie said: ‘My inspiration has always been Anthony Joshua.
‘What he [Joshua] has achieved is the bare minimum. I am the next generation and we are going to excel.’
Despite referencing AJ when speaking about his ambitions in the sport, Orie admitted to having no idea who the British heavyweight boxer was at first.
Orie watched Joshua claim the IBF heavyweight title by knocking Charles Martin out in their April 2016 bout at the O2 Arena.
Orie credited Joshua for inspiring his boxing career but insists he wants to achieve more
Orie watched AJ defeat Charles Martin in an embarrassing second round KO in April 2016
Joshua needed just one minute and 32 seconds in the second round to end the unconvincing American’s first title defence.
He also need just over a minute and a half to impress Orie and solidify the 25-year-old’s interest in pursuing a boxing career.
When asked about AJ’s fight with Martin, Orie recalls thinking: ‘Who is this guy and what did he do to get to this place?’ before claiming Joshua looked ‘amazing’.
He went on to explain how he had not watched much boxing before. Orie said: ‘I didn’t watch the actual fight. I didn’t watch boxing at all. I didn’t know who AJ was.’
Orie has been touted as ‘the next Anthony Joshua’ after winning the super-heavyweight gold medal for England at the Commonwealth Games.
The 25-year-old has followed Joshua’s footsteps by becoming the No 1 super-heavyweight on the GB programme.
A post shared by Delicious Orie (@deliciousboxing)
He is also targeting a gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris – something AJ managed to achieve at the London Games.
When asked whether he felt the pressure of being compared to Joshua, Orie said: ‘There will be pressure there, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like all athletes, top athletes, they go through this pressure.
‘That’s what differentiates them from the others. It’s being able to handle the pressure and perform at a high level.’
Orie could transition to professional boxing if he picks up a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
That would see him follow in the footsteps of not only Joshua, but Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Joe Joyce and more.
However, Orie is adamant he wants to create his ‘own’ style and avoid lurking in the shadows of such boxing greats.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUK1FBpjpGE/
A post shared by Delicious Orie (@deliciousboxing)
Speaking to Sky Sports he said: ‘I’m starting to feel this myself. I’ve been boxing competitively between five and six years.
‘I can feel I’m making my own sort of style, what suits me and obviously going out to compete all over Europe with GB boxing has helped me a lot.’
That’s all very well and good, but does Orie have what it takes to succeed in the major leagues when his time comes or will he be become the forgotten man?
Orie has already sparred with AJ and has been training around Frazer Clarke, Cheavon Clarke and Courtney Bennet at the Team GB amateur set up in Sheffield.
The 25-year-old is athletic and well built. He is capable of commanding the centre of the ring and forcing his opponent onto the ropes.
However, Orie would be at risk of a knockout in the heavyweight division as he likes to come out of the corner flying and plants his feet while on the defensive.
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A post shared by Delicious Orie (@deliciousboxing)
Joshua has also been criticised for his poor lateral movement and slow footwork over the years – but, that hasn’t stopped him from registering 22 knockouts.
Additionally, Orie has time to work on his style and improve his technique before heading into the world of professional boxing.
No one is expecting him to be the finished article now, but there are a lot of expectations on him for the future.
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