Paris 2024: Team GB boxing hopeful Delicious Orie wants to replicate Anthony Joshua's run to gold

Published 15/05/2024 at 18:54 GMT

Rising star Delicious Orie has spoken of his admiration for Anthony Joshua ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The amateur is gearing up for a gold-medal run in the super-heavyweight division, which Joshua reigned supreme in at his home event in London 12 years ago. Orie was talking on The Power of the Olympics, available to watch on Wednesday at 18:00 UK time on Eurosport 1 and discovery+.

Power Of Olympics: 'That was the dream' Team GB's Orie on his boxing journey to the Games

Delicious Orie has described Anthony Joshua as "one of the boys", having sparred with his hero ahead of his own bid for Olympic glory at Paris 2024.

Though there are ongoing efforts to have it reinstated, as it stands boxing is not part of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles - meaning this summer's event in Paris carries even more weight for the sport's top amateurs.

Orie is among that group, with the Team GB man having already claimed a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

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In Birmingham - just 16 miles from his native Wolverhampton - Orie got past India's Sagar Ahlawat in the super-heavyweight final two years ago.

He now has aspirations of repeating the feat in the same division in the French capital, and in doing so follow in the footsteps of his idol, Joshua.

Like Joshua, Orie is of Nigerian heritage and has a 6ft 6in build. As 'AJ' did, he's hoping to convert amateur success in the 92kg category with Team GB into a professional career in boxing's glamour division.

Indeed, Joshua emerged from his home Games at London 2012 with a gold medal, and then went on to become two-time unified heavyweight champion of the world.

Speaking to Eurosport's The Power of the Olympics - available to watch on Wednesday at 18:00 UK time on Eurosport 1 and discovery+ - Orie lifted the lid on his first impressions of one of British sport's most famous names.

The 26-year-old said: "So, I saw AJ for the first time on television the day after his competition. It was his world-title fight. I was just in my living room and walked past and saw him.

"I didn't know who he was, but I just thought he was a pretty cool guy. Looks the part. Everyone's cheering his name. I was like, 'I really want to give this a go.'

"Three years later, I won a national title, and I'm sparring him. So yes, it was quite a surreal experience.

"When I was able to speak to him outside of the boxing ring, it made me realise that he really is somebody that I could look up to at the time. He's got a lot of time for you, patient.

"He's just one of the boys. He's got a good heart. I felt like it was similar to what I had, and something that I want to replicate."

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discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.

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