Garth Wood: Former professional boxer refused bail after alleged violent attack at kids’ soccer game

A former professional boxer – who famously knocked out ‘The Man’ – allegedly kicked and punched his partner’s ex 15 times in an “unprovoked” and “savage” attack.

Garth Wood celebrates after his fifth round knockout victory against three-time boxing world champion Anthony Mundine in 2010.

Former professional boxer and rugby league winger Garth Wood has been refused bail after allegedly kicking and punching his partner‘s ex “up to 15 times” at a children’s soccer game.

Wood, 45, applied for bail as he appeared via video link at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday after he was charged with affray and domestic violence related assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Police have alleged in court documents that Wood attacked a man identified as Jon Fenton on Sunday. The court heard Mr Fenton was the ex-partner of Wood‘s partner.

Police prosecutor Mr Walsh said it was a strong prosecution case, detailing the alleged incident took place at 8.45am at King George Park, Rozelle on Sunday, with “families present to watch their children play soccer”.

Mr Walsh said the complainant was sitting in his chair during an interval between junior matches with Wood allegedly knocking the man out of his chair in what he described as an “unprovoked” and “savage” act.

“After the initial punch [Wood allegedly] continued to punch and kick [Mr Fenton] up to 15 times to the rib area,” he said.

Former professional boxer Garth Wood. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Mr Walsh said the complainant was trying to protect himself while members of the public were present and some offered first aid before he was taken by ambulance to hospital.

The court heard police opposed bail, due to concerns including Wood failing to appear, committing further serious offences and danger to the Mr Fenton‘s safety.

Mr Walsh said Wood was a “trained boxer” and was “no stranger to inflicting violence upon others”, before saying the 45-year-old’s “record [did] him no favours”, given he was sentenced for a domestic violence offence three years ago.

Garth Wood training for a fight in 2014.

He said it wasn’t outside “the realms of possibility” that full time custody would follow if Wood was convicted and said bail should be refused.

Unlike the prosecution, Wood’s lawyer Grant Slowgrove said his client’s record was “limited”.

He said Wood could report to Newtown police station and despite a past warrant, his client’s risk of failing to appear wasn’t “at the unacceptable level”, given he has strong community ties, including having two daughters, caring for his uncle and working at PCYC in Balmain.

The court heard there was a provisional AVO in place to protect Mr Fenton.

Mr Slowgrove acknowledged it was a “serious matter” but said a full-time custodial sentence wasn’t a foregone conclusion, saying “there [wasn’t] CCTV” and Wood “had told police a very different version to the facts” and would likely defend the matter.

Garth Wood after he knocked Mundine out at Acer Arena, Olympic Park, Homebush in Sydney.

Australian boxers Anthony Mundine (left) and Garth Wood fight during are-match in Brisbane in 2011. Picture: Dave Hunt

The court heard while Wood was previously a professional boxer it “doesn’t make him a greater risk of violence” and Mr Slowgrove said he was instructed by Wood that he in fact “is someone who is trying to reduce offending”.

Magistrate Sharon Freund said this was an alleged public assault with “numerous witnesses” where Mr Fenton was knocked out of his chair and Wood allegedly “set upon” him, punching and kicking him to the face and ribs.

She said “if the accused is [allegedly] prepared to take those steps in such a public way” then she wasn’t satisfied there could be any bail conditions which could be proposed.

Wood was refused bail and will return to court on July 3 for plea or mention.

Gareth Wood in 2014.

During Wood’s illustrious sporting career, he famously knocked out three-time boxing world champion Anthony Mundine as a heavy underdog.

He also featured for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Balmain Tigers in the NRL.

Despite debuting for the Rabbitohs as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, Wood failed to make his mark on the sport, playing 25 times before switching codes.