The heavyweight prospect Delicious Orie will make his professional debut on April 5 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
Orie will fight on a bill topped by the heavyweight contest between Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce, that also features Lawrence Okolie-Richard Riakporhe and David Adeleye-Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva.
Orie, who fought at the Paris Olympics with the burden of expectation as Team GB’s super-heavyweight representative, said at a press conference on Monday that it was inevitable that he would join Queensberry Promotions.
“I met with Queensberry, went to the office at the end of last year, and I have to say I was so impressed,” the 27 year old said. “I spoke with George Warren, and he set that bar very very high.
“I met with the other promoters; I met everybody. I took some time out with myself but deep down I knew Queensberry were going to take me to another level, and here we are.”
Orie, who is being trained in Sheffield by Grant Smith, said that he would show fans that he was technically sound, fast, and pledged to live a professional life away from the ring.
“I’m an athlete,” he said. Then, of his debut, he added: “You’re gonna expect fireworks and I want to be able to tell my story to the masses, and I know Queensberry will help me do that. I want people to know who Delicious Orie is; my struggles; what I’ve been through.
“It’s not been easy starting boxing at 18, with nothing – nobody really cared – but here I am and this is just the beginning. I know what I’m capable of; I know what I can achieve so I can’t wait for the world to see what Delicious Orie is about.”
Frank Warren is convinced he can make a significant mark in a division where Queensberry Promotions have a number of major names and the hall-of-fame promoter said Orie would be guided correctly.
“We’re delighted he’s on board,” said Warren. “He’s a pro; he’s come to us; we’re very strong in the heavyweight division and he will have a platform to show the world what he’s all about. The world is his lobster.”
Orie said that he was working in Sheffield to make himself “a brutal professional heavyweight”.
“I know in the professional boxing world people want to see heavyweights knock each other out – I know I’m more than capable of doing that,” he said.
His opponent is to be confirmed.
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