DELICIOUS PROSPECT

Super-heavyweight is graduate who was 18 before he threw a punch... Orie: My idol AJ is living proof that late-starters can rule world

DELICIOUS ORIE was starstruck – literally.

England’s super-heavyweight hopeful was sparring with Anthony Joshua – the man who inspired him to take up boxing.

Orie had got in the ring for the first time with the former world champ (right) – and he couldn’t bring himself to land a single blow on his idol.

He was just taking the punishment – and enjoying it.

“It was 2016 when I heard about AJ for the first time. I didn’t know anything about boxing then – amateur or professional,” Orie recalled.

“But I researched him, and the fact he was able to become world heavyweight champion after taking up the sport at the age of 18 gave me inspiration.

“I loved my time at school. I channelled my competitive streak in sport through basketball but I wasn’t given the chance to fulfil my dreams in America.

“I needed something else, and I researched who had done it in the past and how heavyweights tend to mature later. I just thought that with this physique, which I had from basketball, I could make something happen.

“It was because AJ was able to do it, it was because he was living proof of what can be done, that I’ve come into it.

“AJ came into it late, he became Olympic Champion then heavyweight champion of the world in such a short space of time.

“I mean this in the nicest way possible... I thought, ‘If he can do it, why can’t I?’.

“I was 18 before I threw a punch, walked into a boxing gym or skipped. Mike Tyson said that everyone has a plan until they get a smack in the mouth – but I was willing to go through it all.

“And the first time I was hit in the face, it wasn’t nice. But I went through it.

“I knew that if I dedicated myself to it, I could succeed.

“I’ve made sacrifices. I was studying for my degree in Economics and Management at Aston University. I lived on campus and when everyone else would be going out, I’d be off for a run at midnight.

“I didn’t have time for normal social activities. I had to dedicate myself to boxing.

“So when I finally got into the ring with AJ, I was like a fan-boy. I was starstruck. He was hitting me and I was thinking, ‘This guy got me into boxing!’ – I wasn’t even exchanging shots.

“They say never meet your idols, but AJ has time for you.”

Born in Moscow, Orie moved to England when he was seven after his Nigerian father, Justin, was attacked on a bus in a racist incident.

Orie, 25, said: “England is the land of opportunity. Other countries – eastern Europe – however hard you work, because of the colour of your skin, doors will be locked.

“I don’t care how many people say England is racist – if they haven’t been to other countries they haven’t seen anything.

“If you want to be a boxer, you can. Want to be singer? Work hard, there’ll be a chance.

“I’ve worked hard and there’s more work ahead – but I’ve been given this platform and it’s a privilege to be involved.”