Professional boxer Renold Quinlan sentenced for contravening domestic violence order

A former boxing world champion has traded the ring for the courtroom when he was sentenced for contravening a domestic violence order against his ex-wife.

Former world champion boxer Renold Quinlan, 34, who rose to fame with a knockout win over Daniel Geale in 2016, was sentenced in Downing Centre Local Court after he pleaded guilty to contravening an apprehended domestic violence order on Monday. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A professional boxer was discovered hiding inside a bedroom closet at his ex-wife’s unit even though he was prohibited from being with her, a court has heard.

Former world champion boxer Renold Quinlan, 34, who rose to fame with a knockout win over Daniel Geale in 2016, was sentenced in Downing Centre Local Court after he pleaded guilty to contravening an apprehended domestic violence order on Monday.

Quinlan, who lives in Redfern, lost a bout against breakout Australian fight star Paulo Aokuso at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter in July.

A police statement at the time of Quinlan’s arrest said South Sydney Raptor Squad police officers served a firearms prohibition order on him and he was charged with contravening a AVO as part of a “high-impact strategy” under Operation Hawk between June 28 and July 5.

Agreed facts said a provisional apprehended domestic violence order was made on December 23 which included standard conditions and prevented Quinlan from assaulting, threatening, stalking, harassing or intimidating his ex-wife; and he was unable to contact her nor go within 100m of where she lived.

Former world champion Renold Quinlan. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

About 7.45am on June 30, police went to his ex-wife’s Mascot unit where she answered the door and told officers Quinlan was not inside before she admitted he was in the bathroom.

Officers found Quinlan - who grew up in Campbelltown - hiding in a bedroom wardrobe before he was arrested.

Quinlan told officers he believed he was allowed to be with the woman as long as it related to discussing family matters, adding she had allowed him to be there, documents said.

Renold Quinlan and Jack Bowen exchange punches during a bout at Nissan Arena on September 15, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The court heard that police discovered two previous domestic violence orders had been revoked in March 2023 however the one made in December last year was still enforceable.

Quinlan’s lawyer Georgina Melrose said he was confused about the AVOs but accepted his guilt; and submitted the breach was at the “lower end” of seriousness and did not involve violence.

The court heard Quinlan’s ex-wife worked in the navy and the former couple had been “amicable” at the time of the offence.

Ms Melrose said Quinlan was scheduled to start new employment as a labourer on railways on Tuesday after having to postpone it a day to attend court.

She said he had been out of work since his arrest for other criminal matters two and a half years ago, and noted there had been “gaps in his offending”.

Court documents reveal he was sentenced to an intensive correction order for seven months assault occasioning actual bodily harm and contravene and apprehended violence order at Burwood Local Court.

A police prosecutor noted Quinlan had a criminal history for serious charges with matters relating to his ex-wife.

He also noted Quinlan was found hiding which would indicate he knew he was unable to be at her house.

Renold Quinlan leaves Burwood Local Court in 2021.

Magistrate Miranda Moody noted Quinlan knew he was not supposed to be with the woman and warned him to not visit her house, even if she invited him.

Quinlan was convicted and placed on a community correction order for 12 months.

Ms Moody imposed a final apprehended violence order prohibition for two years which included standard conditions where Quinlan cannot assault, threaten, stalk, harass or intimidate his ex-wife; go within 100m of where she lives, and he can only contact her to discuss family matters.

Quinlan had also pleaded not guilty to another charge of contravening an AVO which was set down for hearing on Monday, but the charge has been withdrawn.

The court heard Quinlan’s ex-wife was unable to attend because she was working on a ship and had forgotten about the hearing date.

Ms Moody noted she had previously been “uncooperative” with police before she refused to relist the hearing and withdrew the charge.