Delicious Orie explains career decision after tempting WWE offer
Delicious Orie says the fear of having regrets later in life prompted him to stick to boxing and turn down a potentially lucrative wrestling career.
The Paris 2024 Olympian will make his professional debut in Manchester on April 7 after signing up with Frank Warren’s Queensberry promotions.
But the 27-year-old from Bilston admits it took him several weeks to make a firm decision on his future, after being tempted by the lure of the WWE.
He told Talksport: “They contacted me after the Olympics. I went out to Florida for a week, I got to experience their shows, the training, the acting, it was beautiful and amazing.
"I got to meet a lot of the superstars and I got the whole immersive experience, so it was a hard decision.
"I was offered a contract, so I needed a few weeks to sit down and think about what I really want.
"It's one thing earning money, but it's another thing fulfilling myself in life. If I'm 60 or 70 years old, thinking will I be happy if I go down the WWE route?
"I thought when I'm older looking back, as long as I give everything to boxing, I will be a happy man.
"So that is the primary reason I made the decision to go professional and stick to boxing."
Orie has ambitions of following his hero Anthony Joshua and becoming world champion but has not ruled out going into wrestling at a later date.
He continued: “We spoke with the team at the performance centre and they said the door is always open.
"I've passed the assessments and they are happy to take me, so you never know in a few years.
"When I've established myself as a professional boxer, I could potentially do some random appearances.
"In the next few years, they are looking to ramp up the UK scene and they said I'd be the first in mind.
“The opportunity is always there, but it's time to chase the primary targets in boxing which will be great."
