Rising boxing star and media darling Harry Garside has been sensationally dropped by legendary trainer Johnny Lewis for choosing a reality TV show instead of a blockbuster Main Event bout. The 25-year-old rose to popular fame after becoming the first Aussie in three decades to win a boxing medal (bronze) at an Olympic Games and breaks just about every stereotype in the book.
Since becoming pro, the Southpaw has a 3-0 record after winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze in Toyko – though despite his assertations he was all-in on becoming a world champion, it appears he might have conflicting priorities.
And Lewis, who trained Aussie legend Jeff Fenech, is having none of it, and he has cut ties with Garside as a result. ‘The ingredients for being a world champion are hard work and commitment,’ Lewis told the Daily Telegraph. ‘You can’t keep knocking back fights. There are no shortcuts in the fight game.’
If he wins the crown, he’d be named King of the Jungle, but Lewis, one of the greatest trainers Australia has ever produced, is gobsmacked Garside giving up a chance to have a huge Main Event bout on Foxtel in his hometown, Melbourne.
Garside, who now has more than 92,000 followers on Instagram, is a regular at social events, red carpets and television appearances. His effervescent nature, individuality and incredible athleticism make him a popular personality, and that is set to be put to the ultimate test when he begins filming in March.
Garside had been billed by main to be a potential world champion after his successful move into professional boxing; but Lewis believes that is now firmly on the backburner, and won’t be in his corner.
Apart from vying to be King of the Jungle, the next steps for Garside now are unclear. Unbeaten in his three-bout professional career, the 176cm lightweight hasn’t fought since May 2022, when he suffered a gruesome hand injury that required surgery.
‘All my great fighters from over the years were 100 per cent disciplined and dedicated to boxing,’ Lewis said. ‘We’d been talking to Harry about world titles and greatness. ‘I’m actually really disappointed but I genuinely wish him well although I’m not sure that he’s choosing the right path.’
Since then he has appeared in numerous advertising campaigns and wowed on the social events circuit, inspiring a new generation of Aussie men. Some have speculated whether he will return to the amateur circuit and aim for a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Garfield has been vocal in the past about how he sees representing Australia and winning gold as one of his ultimate goals – though he has also previously spoke of his hunger to fight for world titles. Only Garside will know what his next steps in the boxing world are – but the sky is certainly the limit for this star, be it in or outside the ring.
