Team GB heavyweight boxer opens up on suffering from depression after being 'robbed' in controversial Paris Olympics defeat

23/08/2024 16:40

Delicious Orie has struggled with his mental health ever since his controversial defeat at the Paris Olympics.

Orie was a medal hopeful competing in the super-heavyweight category for Team GB, who had been compared to London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua.

But his dream was short-lived as he crashed out in the opening round, being beaten by Davit Chaloyan on a hugely contentious points decision.

The 27-year-old was left dejected after hearing the result, and was even forced to abandon a talkSPORT interview after being overcome with emotion.

Orie has since revealed he is suffering from depression and is struggling to get over the career-changing decision, which is viewed by most as a ‘robbery’.

He told The Sun: “It's going to be a very long time before I get what happened to me in Paris out of my system.

"I just can't stop thinking about it. Knowing my Olympic boxing history, I know it has happened to much better fighters than me — Roy Jones Jr in Seoul and Floyd Mayweather in Atlanta being the most famous victims.

"But I couldn't believe it when my opponent's hand was raised — I felt sick to my stomach as if I'd been hit by a low blow from Mike Tyson.

"It took eight hard years preparing to win gold, then all my dreams were just shattered.

"I've never suffered depression in my life before — I just can't get it out of my mind and my whole world seemed to have collapsed.

"I've taken a lot of punches, been dropped in sparring, been really wounded as an athlete.

"But this is by far the worst thing I've had to go through — nothing has hurt me as much as this."

Orie began the fight well on the judges’ scorecards with all five officials granting him the opening round but things took a turn for the worse.

Although the rounds were slightly closer, Orie felt he had done enough to get the nod but the judges’ declared his rival a 3-2 winner.

High hopes had been pinned on the powerful puncher’s shoulders, but it added to a miserable summer of boxing for Team GB.

Rosie Eccles had suffered the same fate to a contentious decision, and the GB team were extremely unhappy with the judging overall.

It is unclear what lies in store next for the gifted star, but he will first need to fully recover from his exploits of the summer.

The option to turn professional could lay in wait, but only time will tell.