Anthony Joshua pleads with Team GB OIympian Delicious Orie to make retirement U-turn as he quits after one fight
AJ used a former world champion's words to get his point across
OR NOT Anthony Joshua pleads with Team GB OIympian Delicious Orie to make retirement U-turn as he quits after one fight
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ANTHONY JOSHUA has pleaded with Olympian Delicious Orie to reconsider his decision to retire.
Orie was eliminated in the first round of the 2024 Olympics but soon turned professional with Frank Warren - after snubbing an offer from the WWE.
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Anthony Joshua pleaded with Olympian Delicious Orie to reconsider retirement
Credit: @deliciousboxing
The heavyweight won his debut against Milos Veletic in April - but laboured over the four rounds.
Just a month later and the 27-year-old announced he was retiring from boxing after just one pro bout.
But AJ - who used to spar Orie - spoke out to urge the Russian-born Brit not to walk away just yet.
He wrote on Instagram: "History repeats itself. Many of us wanted to stop at some stage.
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"Some at the start, some in the middle and at some point all of us will have to stop.
"I think you should take your time but keep training! You have skills & have talent."
Joshua accompanied the message with an old interview with Michael Spinks - the 1976 Olympic gold medalist who later won world titles.
Spinks told KO TV: "I heard boxing was not a pretty business for the boxers and also I was a little afraid of that.
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"I didn't know how I well I would fare in the industry. So I just wanted to get a good job after winning the gold medal and then let that be.
"But things happened that pushed me into the pros and I just talking it one step at a time. I didn't know I would go as far as I did."
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Despite Spinks' concerns over turning pro, he would win world titles at light-heavyweight and heavyweight.
He also famously lost to Mike Tyson in 1988 - his final bout before retiring.
And like Orie - like Spinks - credited wanting to get a job outside the ring as a reason for not wanting to fight on any further.
He posted: "After much reflection, I have decided to hang up my gloves and retire from boxing to follow up on my degree and enter the corporate world.
"This sport has given me so much — incredible memories, unforgettable experiences travelling the world and many opportunities to represent my country at the biggest stages in the world. Forever grateful for the journey.
"Over time, I've come to recognise that the same fire and love I once had for boxing has gradually faded.
"As I've grown, I've come to value clarity and honesty with myself above all.
"I hoped that turning professional would reignite the passion, but the truth has become clear: it hasn't.
"Every fighter knows you need a deep love for the craft to reach the top — and without it, there's no path forward.
"Out of respect for the sport and for myself, it's time to step away with honesty."
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