‘Really disappointed’: Aussie boxer Harry Garside dumped over reality TV move

Australian boxing star Harry Garside has been dumped after reportedly choosing to prioritise reality TV over boxing.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: Harry Garside (L) attends the 2022 GQ Men Of The Year Awards at Crown Sydney on November 23, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Harry Garside’s professional boxing career is up in the air after he opted to appear on a reality TV show instead of taking on a fight.

The Daily Telegraph reports the move prompted legendary trainer Johnny Lewis to dump the 25-year-old, who is viewed by many as a future world champion.

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Garside has reportedly rejected the opportunity to headline a Foxtel Main Event boxing card in his home city of Melbourne, choosing instead to appear on Channel 10’s reality TV Show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!

The reality TV show, which has featured several sporting stars over the years, will be filmed in March.

Garside hasn’t fought since May last year when he suffered a hand injury that required surgery and ruled him out of his next fight.

The decision to choose reality TV over boxing disappointed Lewis, who previously mentored Jeff Fenech and Kostya Tszyu.

“The ingredients for being a world champion are hard work and commitment,” Lewis told the Daily Telegraph.

Harry Garside and trainer Johnny Lewis have parted ways. Picture: No Limit Boxing / Brett Costello

“You can’t keep knocking back fights. There are no shortcuts in the fight game.

“All my great fighters from over the years were 100 per cent disciplined and dedicated to boxing.

“We’d been talking to Harry about world titles and greatness.

“I’m actually really disappointed but I genuinely wish him well although I’m not sure that he’s choosing the right path.”

As an amateur, Garside won gold at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and claimed bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

Garside is 3-0 since turning professional but would need to get many more fights under his belt before challenging for a world title.

He could even contemplate a return to the amateurs in a bid to claim an Olympic gold medal at next year’s Paris Olympics.

The lightweight fighter is part of promoter No Limit’s stable of emerging young Australian boxers that includes Tim and Nikita Tszyu, Sam Goodman and Paulo Aokuso.

Garside hasn’t fought since May 2022. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Harry Garside at the 2022 GQ Men Of The Year Awards. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Garside is currently overseas with the Australian amateur team and it’s unclear if he will feature on No Limit’s stacked undercard for Tim Tszyu’s fight with Tony Harrison in March.

The pull away from the boxing ring appears strong for Garside, who has built up a loyal following on social media for not being afraid to challenge gender stereotypes.

Garside, who was nominated for the 2022 GQ Men of the Year Awards, isn’t afraid to step out into the limelight in a skirt or walk down the runway of a fashion show.

He told news.com.au in November: “I genuinely believe that as a society we should be supporting individuality and uniqueness and the herd supporting that rather than the herd supporting people who feel they need to conform and be like everyone else.”

“There is just some super negative trolls that hang around, but then there’s also the ones who genuinely ask me questions around ‘what impact are you having on young people’. I mean here I am wearing a skirt and am I confusing young people?”

Originally published as ‘Really disappointed’: Aussie boxer Harry Garside dumped over reality TV move