Euro Games success paves way to golden future for Delicious
Delicious Orie is declared winner over Davit Charloyan, now the semis beckon. Pic courtesy of Team GB
WITH each success in the European Games, super-heavy Delicious Orie’s value when turning pro rockets.
And, make no mistake, a gold medal would place Delicious, who lives in Wolverhampton and is trained in Birmingham, on the path to being a boxing millionaire.
Today (Friday) is a crunch one for the 26-year-old son of a Nigerian father and Russian mother.
Having already ensured a medal, Orie will fight for a place in the final at the Nowy Targ Arena, Poland. In his way is Bulgaria’s Yordan Hernandez.
A win will also seal his place at next year’s Paris Olympics.
Delicious, who moved to England from Moscow aged seven, will be bolstered by his sterling form in the competition.
He has boxed three times to reach the semi and on Wednesday booked his place with unanimous victory over 2021 world silver medallist Davit Charloyan.
After victory, Delicious said: “I want to thank everybody who has supported me on my way. It means everything to me.
“I can’t wait to go again. I know I keep saying it, but it’s very exciting to see all my hard work in the gym paying off. We’re not quite there yet but it’s just good to see it all coming to fruition.
“I couldn’t have done this without the coaches and staff and GB Boxing as well as my family.
“We’re coming up to the final stages and I respect all of my opponents, I know they’re going to be top level because, like me, they’ve worked hard to get to the top level. I do what I’m told by the coaches, and it gives me confidence to perform.
“That’s the aim (qualification). I want to fulfil my dream and we’re one step closer.”
During his sterling career, Delicious has already claimed gold at last year’s Commonwealth Games, staged in Birmingham.
Lewis Williams looks dejected after loss to Berut Acar. Pic: Team GB
Fellow Commonwealth Games golden boy Lewis, from Leamington, has failed to claim a medal, but fought well in a heavyweight division packed with talent.
Last Saturday, he opened his campaign in style by seeing-off Kosovo’s Taulant Jakupi in two.
Of that display, the 22-year-old said: “Nice and smooth. It felt good to break it in with the first bout and get the stoppage as well.
“It was nice and efficient. I’ll recover and be ready to go again for the next one.
“That was my first time in the GBR (Great Britain) kit, and you don’t take it in until you’re getting ready and see it laid out in front of you. I’m really proud to represent.”
On Monday, Lewis suffered the heartbreak of a 3-2 split decision loss to Turkey’s Berut Acar.
Solihull’s Elise Glynn celebrates win over Andela Brankovic. Pic: Team GB
Solihull’s Elise Glynn can also walk away from the tournament with head held high.
In the last 16 stage, featherweight Glynn was pitted against a familiar opponent, Italy’s world and European champ Irma Testa. It’s the third time they’ve met in less than a year.
The 21-year-old’s exit could not have been by a narrower margin. Elise proved, for periods, more than a match for the Olympic bronze medallist. But she was judged a 3-2 loser.
Incredibly, Testa has won all three of their meetings by the same margin.
Last Saturday, Glynn got her campaign off to a flying start by gaining a unanimous decision over Andela Brankovic from Serbia.
After that performance, Elise said: “It was brilliant and good to get the first one out of the way as that is always the hardest as you’re getting used to new surroundings and the environment that comes with the occasion.
“I’ve got the ring rust off now and there is still a few things I need to work on. The further you go in this process the harder it is going to get. But I’m ready and I hope they are, too. I thrive off things like this.”