No Limit promoter George Rose has recently clarified that Harry Garside remains focused on his boxing career rather than potential lucrative domestic match-ups. Garside is set to return to the ring next Wednesday at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, facing Charlie Bell. This will be Garside’s first professional bout in three years, as he has dedicated himself to pursuing Olympic gold in Paris.
The 27-year-old has previously achieved significant success, winning a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a bronze in the 2020 Olympics. He temporarily stepped back from boxing following a defeat to Hungary’s Richard Kovacs last year, which raised questions about his return to the professional scene. Despite his absence from competition, Garside has worked on enhancing his public profile, even winning the Australian lightweight title in just his second pro fight in 2022 before relinquishing the title to focus solely on the Olympics.
Garside’s decisions have generated mixed reactions in the boxing world, particularly as some believe he may effortlessly step into high-paying domestic bouts despite stepping away from professional boxing. Rose stated, however, that Garside is committed to earning his way back into the mix for significant fights rather than engaging in trash talk or seeking the limelight.
Looking ahead, Garside’s ambitions include potentially fighting well-regarded boxers like Liam Paro and Liam Wilson, both of whom have made a name for themselves internationally. Rose highlighted the excitement such match-ups could generate in Australia, but he emphasised that Garside’s priority is his upcoming fight against Bell.
In a recent reality TV appearance, Garside reflected negatively on his initial experiences in professional boxing, describing it as a challenging environment where some individuals were more interested in financial gain than his well-being. This led to some backlash within the boxing community, with various figures believing he should face tougher competition to prove himself worthy of top-tier bouts.
Garside’s opponent Bell, a coal miner with extensive amateur experience, represents a stepping stone for Garside’s return. On the same fight card, Sam Goodman is also looking to rebound after missing a chance to fight Japanese champion Naoya Inoue due to injury. Goodman faces Mexican Cesar Vaca Espinoza, a formidable challenge that could set him up for future opportunities.
Rose remains optimistic about Goodman’s prospects, asserting he believes Goodman can defeat Inoue when the opportunity arises. However, for now, the focus for both Garside and Goodman is on their immediate challenges in the ring.