Delicious Orie to let his opponents do the talking when he turns professional

By Paul Martin

Delicious Orie insists he will not become a trash talker when he moves into professional boxing – even if he departs Paris with Olympic gold.

The Wolverhampton scrapper was officially named as part of Team GB’s six-strong boxing squad for this summer’s Games on Friday having secured his spot with gold at last year’s European Games.

Orie has long been dubbed ‘the next Anthony Joshua’ and will follow his hero into the pro ranks once he steps out 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,” he said.

“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.”

Joshua was Britain’s most recent super heavyweight Olympic gold medallist back in 2012, 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,” he said.

“At the start, that was amazing. 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.”

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 basketball, his first sporting love, at the Games.

“I started basketball aged 10 and I still love the sport, it has a very special place in my heart,” he said.

“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.”

Aldi are proud Official Partners of Team GB & ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024