Super heavyweight Olympian inspired by Anthony Joshua explains what will give him an 'edge' in Paris Games

Orie has Russian and Nigerian parents, and only recently got a British passport, allowing him to compete in France this summer.

Orie won the European Games in 2023, and is the No. 2 seed going into the tournament, which is often the founding competition for successful athletes to then turn professional.

The 27-year-old was originally a basketball player but turned to boxing after being inspired by Anthony Joshua.

Speaking to Sky Sports , he explained that his long route into the ring was to his benefit.

"In my opinion it gives me that little bit of edge. I didn't just struggle to get on the podium side of things, just getting through the doors of the boxing gym in Sheffield was an ambition in itself for me," he said.

"It was up to three years of difficulty and suffering. For me, it gives me that extra edge that I know that I deserve to be where I am today."

He continued: "It's all about maintaining belief. I've been on a real mental journey in the last year, ups and downs.

"There's been times when I've had injuries, niggles and I've had to hold back. There's times where I didn't have good spars, I didn't have good fights, but I'm coming to a realisation that in order to be a top level athlete, that one percent of the one percent, you need to go through these things.

"These are the tests that I believe I'm going through. The trials and tribulations I'm going through right now. It just makes that victory that little bit sweeter for me.

"This is what it's all about, the level I'm on now is the pinnacle so it's only right for me to face the best and I'm really looking forward to it."

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