Boxing star Delicious Orie has opened up about why he retired just one bout into his dream professional boxing career. The 28-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medalist shocked the sports world earlier this year when he announced his retirement to pursue a career in the corporate world.
From Olympic Dreams to Corporate Reality
Orie won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and represented Team GB at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Less than a year after his Olympic appearance, he signed his first professional contract and won his debut fight against Milos Veletic on points. However, within three months, he announced his retirement and plans to become a financial advisor.
He said: “It was a big mental shift for me. It was a bit strange and caught me off guard for a couple of months, but I’m eight months in now and it feels like this is what I'm meant to be doing. I've worked really hard and done almost all of my exams to become chartered as a financial advisor.”
Applying Athletic Discipline to Finance
Orie, who studied Economics and Management at Aston University, explained how his boxing background has helped him in his new career. “I take a lot of the things that I've learned from being an athlete into the corporate world. The whole thing of discipline, commitment, and just being absolutely relentless has helped me and paid dividends in the corporate world.”
Born to a Nigerian father and Russian mother in Moscow, Orie moved to Wolverhampton at age seven. After graduating from university, he went straight into full-time training with Team GB, never experiencing office life until now. “The first few months, particularly when I started work, were quite strange. As you grow and develop, you have experiences in life that push you to limits that you didn't even get to as an athlete. You learn what motivates other people and yourself.”
Fulfillment Over External Validation
Orie admitted the transition has been confusing but feels he is on the right path. “I'm currently living in this transition period, in that feeling of confusion. While I know I'm going the right way and following my heart, you don't know what will happen next year. But I know in 40 years time I will be immensely proud of myself. I want to push the message to my grandchildren that you need to follow what makes you feel fulfilled on this planet.”
He still boxes in his spare time and coaches the next generation, but remains happy with his decision. This summer, he is participating in the King's Baton Relay, supported by Team England’s official automotive partner Geely, as part of the build-up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
A Change in Purpose
“My perception of what fulfilled me changed. And not overnight. It was a slow adaptation of my meaning of purpose and life, and that meant stopping boxing as a result. I got a dog too. Now I'm committed to going out for walks and really focusing on myself internally. Since I can remember, the focus has always been to impress other people. I got the GCSEs and the A-levels to be the best person in the class, but it was for other people.”
He concluded: “The more you work on anything, the more you find out about yourself. Over time, you find out what actually fulfils you and pushes you forward. What I am feeling right now is fulfilment. I think that's more important than being proud, sad, excited, nervous, or anxious. I feel all those things all the time, because they're fleeting emotions. I feel them every day, but I'm fulfilled. If you had asked me last year, I was also anxious, happy, nervous, and excited, but I wasn't fulfilled.”
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