Aussie stars Harry Garside and Caitlin Parker fighting to save boxing as an Olympic sport

Paris is known as the city of love but it could be the capital of death for boxing with the sport in danger of being booted from the Olympics. Harry Garside and Caitlin Parker are fighting to make things right.

Harry Garside has appealed for boxing not to be killed off as an Olympic sport as the Tokyo hero declared Australia’s fighters would deliver a record medal haul in Paris.

Garside, who claimed bronze in Tokyo, predicts Australia’s boxing brigade will win at least four medals and hopes the 2024 Games will not represent a knockout blow for the sport.

Paris is known as the city of love but it could be the capital of death for boxing, which is walking a potentially fatal tightrope following almost a decade of corruption that has left the IOC fed-up with the fight game.

Boxing has been an Olympic sport for the past 120 years since its debut at the 1904 Games and it is unfathomable to think it could be axed for Los Angeles in 2028.

But unless the IOC is satisfied with the governance of the event in Paris, Australia’s record 12-strong team could be the nation’s last boxing contingent at the Olympics.

Harry Garside is chasing Olympic gold. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Against that backdrop, Garside returns for his second Olympics alongside team captain Caitlin Parker and the dynamic duo are at the vanguard of Australia’s boxing medal assault in Paris.

Garside claimed Australia’s first boxing medal in 33 years in Tokyo and the former plumber says the green-and-gold class of 2024 is ready to overcome boxing politics to shock the world.

“This will be the most successful Australian boxing team in Olympic history,” said Garside, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Monday.

“I believe we can win at least four medals.

“It’s been a tough time for the sport but it would be devastating to lose boxing to the Olympics.

“I know the best version of me is capable of winning a gold medal and I don’t believe I’m the only one in this squad capable of that.

“We are going to win multiple medals at this Olympics.

“Our team is outstanding. If we can come home with a record haul of medals, that can only help the sport and hopefully it’s still on the program for Brisbane in 2032.”

Harry Garside with his bronze medal from Tokyo. Picture: Jason Edwards

The IOC stripped the International Boxing Association of the right to run Olympic programs in Tokyo and Paris following a slew of scandals.

The corruption included judges using secret signals to fix bouts at the 2016 Rio Olympics, while one nation was accused of offering the IBA a $10 million bribe to ensure medal winners.

A breakaway body, World Boxing, has taken over in a bid to save the sport and the IOC says a suitable organisation must be in place by early in 2025 – or risk boxing being scrapped for the LA Games.

Australian captain Parker, who won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, hopes boxing is not a dead-sport walking.

Boxing captain Caitlin Parker. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Boxing is one of the oldest Olympic sports, it has to continue and I believe it will,” she said.

“This can’t be the end.

“You look around the world and there’s so many incredible athletes.

“To squander a whole sport because of the actions of a few would be very wrong.

“I believe we can fight through it and save the sport for the next Olympics.”

Australia has won just five Olympic boxing medals in 100 years but assistant coach Shara Romer says four is a genuine target at Paris.

“I agree with Harry, I believe this can be our most successful Games,” she said.

“I believe Teremoana Jnr, Harry, Caitlin Parker and Monique Suraci are the big four chances, then Callum Peters, Shannan Davey and Charlie Senior are definitely contenders.

“It would be a real shame to lose boxing to the Olympics.

“Unfortunately, it’s people like us in Australia who get affected, so hopefully it gets saved moving forward.

“It’s been around for 100 years and it’s the type of sport that can turn kids’ lives around.”

Originally published as Aussie stars Harry Garside and Caitlin Parker fighting to save boxing as an Olympic sport