Delicious Orie will stay humble in heat of Olympic battle

The Bilston scrapper has long been dubbed ‘the next Anthony Joshua’ and will follow his hero into the pro ranks once he steps out of the Olympic ring.

But the 27-year-old, who arrived in the UK from Russia aged seven, is eager to stay true to his principles and not be drawn into the slanging matches which regularly dominate the build-up to big-money bouts.

“Olympic boxing is completely different to professional boxing, it’s pure and we do it for the love of the sport,” said the super heavyweight.

“Obviously the pros love it too but it’s a show at the end of the day and you have to get bums on seats.

“In the Olympics, the draw is done, you have to beat who’s in front of you and that’s that. Going pro is the natural step for me and I feel it will be my time then to move on to the next chapter.

“But GB Boxing have ingrained into me professionalism, virtue, staying humble, so I will make sure I carry that on in the professional ranks, I’ll let my opponents do that (trash talk). I’ll do my talking but it won’t be negative.”

Orie secured his spot in Paris with victory at the 2023 European Games in Krakow but has not had it all his own way this year and heads over the channel with a point to prove.

He is looking to emulate Joshua, who was Britain’s most recent super heavyweight Olympic gold medallist back in 2012 in what proved to be the launchpad for his stratospheric rise.

This summer could be similarly life-changing for Orie if he lands the ultimate prize but he feels he is coping with the pressure.

“I’ve always had expectation on me, I’ve been tagged the next AJ since I’d had about 10 bouts,” said the 6ft 6in fighter, who has a degree in economics.

“At the start, that was amazing. As I’ve told him myself, if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be boxing.

“But as I’ve started to develop and become an experienced amateur boxer, I’ve started to differentiate myself and become Delicious Orie. I want to make a story for myself.

“Whatever happens, life won’t change in terms of my morals, what I believe in and the family I have around me.

“All that will really change is getting my story out to as many people as possible and having that platform to inspire and educate others.

“I came from an unprivileged background but I’ve always had that fire in me and I want to show kids what is possible.”

One man uniquely judged to compare Orie and Joshua is Rob McCracken, who coached AJ before a well-publicised split in 2021.

McCracken is overseeing Team GB’s Olympic boxing squad for a fourth time and said: “They are different boxers and different people.

“But much like back in 2012 with Joshua, he (Orie) has lots of potential and it will be interesting to see his journey after the Olympics as he moves forward.

“Hopefully he will do just as well as Joshua did but it’s up to what he wants to do.

“Much like Joshua, he’s not hugely experienced, but he’s in that part of the journey where the Olympics is exciting to him and that’s all he’s focusing on, trying to achieve something at the Games, which is always very difficult. Hopefully he can replicate his performances in the qualifier.”

Orie, an Aldi ambassador, will benefit from the Nearest & Dearest programme in Paris.

Aldi’s initiative helps maximise support and minimise potential distractions for athletes so that they can focus on their performance and make the most of the unique opportunity to compete on one of the world’s largest stages.

The Small Heath ABC star is looking forward to competing as part of a tight-knit British squad while he also hopes to take in some basketball, his first sporting love, at the Games.

“I started basketball aged 10,” he said. “My inspiration was Luol Deng, who came to England then moved to compete in the NBA.

“I still love the sport, it has a very special place in my heart.

“It has taught me a lot and I have brought a lot of those qualities over to boxing. I truly believe that’s why I was able to excel so quickly in the sport.”

n Aldi are proud official partners of Team GB & ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024