Harry Garside marked his return to the boxing ring with a TKO victory over Charlie Bell in Sydney on Wednesday night, following a disappointing exit from the Paris 2024 Olympics. The fight ended controversially when referee Les Fear stopped the bout after the fifth round, citing Bell’s excessive damage as his reason for halting the match. Despite Bell’s protests, insisting he could continue, the referee’s call stood.
Both fighters were injured early on, sustaining head cuts that required medical attention at each break. After the fourth round, the referee issued a warning to Bell’s trainer about protecting his fighter’s head, to which the trainer asserted he was actively doing so. This tension continued until the fight’s unexpected conclusion, leaving many, including fellow boxer Tim Tszyu, questioning the stoppage. Tszyu felt Bell was capable of carrying on, emphasising the warrior spirit of Australian boxers.
This bout was Garside’s first professional fight since May 2022, and he has maintained a perfect record, winning all four of his professional matches. Expressing his joy at being back in the ring, Garside shared his appreciation for the intensity of fight week, remarking on the rollercoaster of emotions leading up to the event. He acknowledged the impact of his cut but credited his support team for their guidance during the fight.
Following a disappointing Olympic campaign where Garside was eliminated in the first round, his sentiments of frustration and disappointment lingered. He described feeling numb and expressed concerns about facing emotional challenges in the months ahead. Nevertheless, his recent victory appears to reignite his passion and dedication to the sport as he aims for future success.