Ambitious Delicious Orie eyes Olympic Gold in Paris
Delicious Orie is hoping to become the seventh British super heavyweight boxer to reach the Olympic podium when he partakes at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
“The way I see it, you don’t have to be a brute to become a champion,” says Orie. This scrapper is an A* student at A-Level and holds a first-class honours degree in Business and Management.
“In boxing, you don’t have to come from a background where you’re disobedient in school and can’t pay attention, because I wasn’t that kind of person. Sometimes you’ve got to grit your teeth and fight but I’m trying to push out the message that as long as you are dedicated and focused, you can achieve great things in this sport.”
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Every British super heavyweight boxer that has competed at the Olympic Games has won a medal. Orie is hoping to become the seventh to reach the podium on the biggest stage and is the next cab off the rank in the division, building on the legacy of Joshua – who knocked out Ngannou in round two in Saudi Arabia last week Audley Harrison, David Price, Joe Joyce, and Fraser Clarke.
Orie is being guided by GB Boxing supremo Rob McCracken, who coached Joshua through the professional ranks until they split in 2022.
“Rob understands me,” said Orie. “Outside the ring, he’s seen talent from the beginning, and he knows how to polish that talent and make it the finished article. I’ve got full confidence in him, and the team and I know I’m part of the best programme in the world.”
Orie has an evangelical belief in keeping things simple, devoting every waking thought to how he might improve his ring craft.
“I have three big square meals every day with some protein shakes in between,” said Orie, who is supported by supermarket ALDI. “It’s the same habits throughout every week. If I’m not thinking about what I’m choosing to eat, I can focus on my training and what’s really important.
“I have two pairs of black jeans and a few white tops. It keeps it simple; I’m not thinking about what to wear. I go to the barber and ask for the same haircut every time.”
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Orie, who describes his fighting style as ‘controlled aggression’, secured his place in Paris through an impressive victory at June’s European Games in Krakow. He is dead-eyed in his plan to win Olympic gold, turn professional immediately after and start the road to becoming heavyweight champion of the world.
“My parents are my reason why,” he said. “They’ve struggled all their lives, but they have made sure that I was okay to give me a solid foundation. I need to make sure I do everything I can to succeed and make them proud, but I’m making sure I’m making Great Britain proud as well.”