Queensberry promotions have bolstered their heavyweight ranks by announcing the signing of 2024 Olympian, Delicious Orie.
A decorated amateur, Orie enjoyed a successful 2022 during which he won gold at the Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the European Championships. A gold medal at the 2023 European Games secured his qualification for the 2024 Paris Games.
Orie was seen as a potential medal hope but suffered a disappointing opening round defeat to Armenia’s Davit Chaloyan.
The 27 year-old from Wolverhampton has been considering his future since. He admitted that he was tempted by an offer from the WWE to turn his hand to professional wrestling but the lure of the ring has proven too strong. He will now be guided by Hall of Fame promoter, Frank Warren, and will train in Sheffield at the Steel City Gym under respected trainer, Grant Smith.
“I can’t wait to get this next chapter underway!” said the 6ft 6” Orie said in a press release.
“I’ve put the heartbreak of Paris behind me and look back on my amateur career with pride. A home Commonwealth Games where I won my first major gold and closing the European Championship as Team GB’s flag bearer with a gold medal round my neck were definitely the highlights. I’d like to thank GB Boxing and Team GB for all their support over the past few years.
“I’ve teamed up with Steel City gym, STN Sports and Queensberry Promotions, who together I feel are the team that will take me to the top of the heavyweight division.
“Queensberry is the home of heavyweight boxing and have a long tradition of developing boxers the right way and building superstars. I can’t wait to get going!”
The move strengthens Queensbury's grip on the sport’s glamour division.
The promotional giant already represents a good proportion of the division’s leading lights but with Tyson Fury having already departed the sport - for the time being at least - and unified and former undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk, two-time unified champion, Anthony Joshua, and former WBC champion, Deontay Wilder, all nearing the end of their careers, the heavyweight picture looks set to enter a new era.
Queensberry are in the process of futureproofing their interests and Orie joins a deep, British of arm the stable which includes - take a deep breath - IBF champion, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Fabio Wardley, Joe Joyce, Lawrence Okolie, David Adeleye, Derek Chisora, Sol Dacres and Boma Brown. Queensberry have also been quietly adding a number of young, talented amateurs to their ranks.
“Yeah, he's come with us. He's a great addition. Obviously, we're very strong in the heavyweight division,” Warren told The Ring.
“He represented his country at the Olympics and - for heavyweights - Queensberry is the place to be. There's no doubt about that and he's got ambitions.
“He's very colourful. He talks really well. So I’ve got my fingers crossed that he comes through, and I'm sure that he’ll be in some big fights an we’ll make it happen.
“It's all lively, and it's a lively time. And I've got to say, for Britain, the heavyweights, I mean, we're the bosses. Who would have ever thought that? When I started out in boxing it was all Americans,” Warren continued.
“We're flying. When I got into boxing, there had been no British heavyweight champions of the world.”