Olympic boxer Harry Garside determined for Paris Olympics as DV charges dropped

Boxer Harry Garside says the Paris Olympics is now his prime focus after he was cleared of charges of attacking his former girlfriend.

Olympic winner and Australian boxer Harry Garside claimed to have never hit a woman in his life after he was cleared of all criminal charges on Wednesday.

“Never in my life,” he told Ben Fordham on 2GB on Thursday.

“I knew I was an innocent man but it still doesn’t look good coming off one of the best experiences of my life.

“I knew I had the evidence on my phone to clear my name but those four weeks were extremely challenging.”

Garside said it was “very heavy” to have his reputation tarnished following the allegations.

“It goes against everything that I’ve been raised (to do) in my life, if I was ever to do something like that my parents would absolutely annihilate me,” he said.

“My reputation is something I’ve built over the last 17 years of my boxing career, to have it feel like it’s almost ruined for something I didn’t do and something like the charges that were put on me, it’s very heavy.”

Boxer Harry Garside at Downing Centre Court, Sydney on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Boxer Harry Garside say he is determined to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024 after being cleared of common assault charges.

“Today I have been vindicated,” he said.

“Moments ago the Police Prosecutor informed the Court that they have dropped all matters against me. This was because my lawyers provided the recordings and communications that gave the police a full understanding of what happened — clearing me of any wrongdoing whatsoever.”

The star boxer-turned-reality star touched down in Australia off the set of I’m A Celebrity to be met by police and quizzed over an alleged incident with an ex-girlfriend. Police have withdrawn the charges. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The 25-year-old was accused of assaulting his former partner Ashley Ruscoe between 4pm and 7pm on March 1 at Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

He was arrested by NSW Police at Sydney Airport in early May as he flew home from South Africa where he had been filming I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!

After just four weeks, the charges were withdrawn by police on Wednesday in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court.

Mr Garside sat in the front row of the public gallery alongside his lawyers, high-profile defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou and solicitor Rebekah Giles.

The Paris Olympics now beckon for Garside, who won bronze in Tokyo in 2020. Picture: Getty Images

He took to social media to share his thoughts, thankful that the police exercised due diligence in “reviewing the overwhelming evidence in my favour and quickly moving to withdraw the proceedings”.

“Last month I returned from South Africa feeling motivated and optimistic about my future. What has occurred since has been personally devastating and a real test of my resilience,” he continued.

“I will be forever grateful for the love and support of my family and friends who have kept me strong and focused.

Wearing a classic black suit with a white shirt, Garside grinned as the charge of assault and the apprehended domestic violence order application were withdrawn.

Garside with his no ex-girlfriend, Ashley Ruscoe. in Novemberr last year. Picture: Getty Images

The surprise court win comes after defence barrister Sue Chrysanthou previously told a court she had made “substantial representations” to police in relation to additional material not obtained by police.

“In particular a video of the incident in question which we say shows the complainant as the aggressor,” Ms Chrysanthou said during the previous court hearing.

“Other material where she has made threats about going to police to make fake complaints.”

‘MASSIVE TOLL’’

Garside, who won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, revealed the charges took a “massive” toll on him and his family, including his mother who is battling cancer.

“She was almost more stressed about this than she was about what she’s going through,” he explained outside court.

“At least now she can focus on herself and focus on her wellbeing.”

The boxer’s social media reveals he has been training hard for the upcoming international competition, which is only 14 months away.

He previously won bronze in Tokyo in the men’s lightweight boxing, and has won seven Australian national boxing championships.

During his time on I’m a Celebrity, the young athlete revealed he was thinking of staying single for a while after his break up with Ruscoe.

The boxing and martial arts instructor, who is nine years his senior, began dating Garside when she split from her boyfriend and teammate on The Amazing Race, Sidney Pierucci, in 2019.

The couple were often snapped by the paparazzi together and made several high profile appearances, such as at the GQ awards in November.

They dated for more than 18 months before splitting ahead of Garside’s reality TV appearance.