Former professional boxer Garth Wood released after brutally attacking partner’s ex, Jon Fenton

Ex-professional boxer Garth Wood who famously knocked out Anthony Mundine, has learnt his fate for kicking and punching his partner’s ex multiple times.

Former professional boxer Garth Wood pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Picture: Richard Dobson

Former professional boxer Garth Wood who famously knocked out Anthony Mundine, kicked and punched his partner’s ex multiple times in what is said to be an act of retribution, leaving him by saying “that’s what you get for hitting sheilas”, a court has heard.

Wood, 45, appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to domestic violence related assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the day of a hearing. The prosecution subsequently withdrew an affray charge.

Agreed facts revealed the victim, identified as Jon Fenton, was at a park in Rozelle about 8.45am on Sunday, June 25.

Fenton was sitting on the sideline when Wood approached him from behind and punched his forehead, causing him to fall out of his chair, according to the victim’s evidence.

Wood continued to punch and kick Fenton to the face and ribs and said “you f---en dog” before being pulled away and saying “that’s what you get for hitting sheilas”.

Garth Wood fighting Daniel Geale.

Fenton was bloodied from an open cut to his forehead and later taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Wood was later arrested at his Erskineville home where he told police “Jon charged at me and took a swing” and “I dodged his swing, I uppercut him and then punched him twice”. He was taken to Newtown police station.

During Wood’s acclaimed sporting career, the former NRL winger knocked out three-time boxing world champion Anthony Mundine after entering the fight as a heavy underdog.

On Monday, Wood’s barrister Greg Stanton appealed for an intensive correction order, or jail sentence served in the community.

The court heard Wood accepted his conduct was “unjustified” and he was remorseful.

Mr Stanton said his client regretted his decision to confront Fenton “in the circumstances in which he did” after an alleged offence committed by the victim to his ex-partner, now Wood’s partner, the day before the attack.

Garth Wood. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Stanton conceded there were aggravations for Wood’s attack. including it being committed in a public place, it being a domestic violence scenario.

He said his client had spent three months and 22 days in custody since his arrest.

In reply, the police prosecutor said Wood “should have known better” given he was “trained to inflict violence upon other people” and noted potential trauma to the victim and others who may have witnessed the attack.

Ms Atkinson ultimately imposed a 20-month ICO, saying it was a “serious matter” and ordered him to complete 100 hours of community service.

Wood must also undertake treatment for anger management and domestic violence programs.

“Your behaviour that day was completely unacceptable … regardless of what occurred the previous day,” Ms Atkinson said.

A five-year AVO protecting Fenton from Wood was also imposed.