Delicious Orie fits the template of the 21st century heavyweight like a glove. He’s big, athletic and at a tad under two metres, packs a punch.
Like his predecessors Audley Harrison, Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce, he is taking the Olympic path to a pro career. Orie had already qualified for Paris 2024 before he won European gold in Poland last week. He is good enough to medal in France but will face the usual suspects from Cuba and the eastern European states, who will want it as much as he does.
The lure of the Olympic gold is understandable. All these kids want to make money. Gold guarantees an auction for his signature, though any medal is a selling point when turning over.
In the case of Harrington, who banked a million in his first pro contract, it proved a poor investment. Harrison did not have the aptitude for the pro game and was never comfortable at close range.
Joyce, though he lacks speed, is suited to the pro ranks for his ability to take a shot but still tasted defeat last time out. And after winning a world title, Joshua has struggled since losing it to Andy Ruiz. It’s not meant to be easy.
Orie does not have the muscularity of Joshua but he is much more loose. There is better flow and superior natural movement. His jab is superb. He has a good right hand but his left hook needs work. It is one of the most destructive punches in boxing, amateur and pro.
He was a basketball player before taking up boxing nine years ago at 17. He has plenty of ability. You don’t need to be ripped to the bone. That’s good for Instagram but not necessarily in the ring.
Orie is great at distance but less comfortable up close. That’s understandable when you are 6ft 6ins and conditioned to win over three rounds.
That won’t be enough in the pros. To prosper Orie will have to learn to come forward and fight more aggressively. You need to put punches together, particularly that left hook, hitting the target, rolling the head and stepping back.
His commitment is impressive. He identified the Olympics as the route to go, reckoning that succeeding as an elite amateur is as good a way as any to gain experience and learn his trade. He is not wrong. Some of the best heavyweights in history crossed over as Olympic champions. So far so good for the next off the rank.
Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @mcguigans_gym
