Boxer Harry Garside reveals all in emotional post-Games interview

Australian boxer Harry Garside opened up on his battles since his Olympic heartbreak before a moving moment unfolded live on air.

Devastated Aussie boxer Harry Garside has spoken about the “nightmare” he has endured since his shock first-round defeat at the Paris Olympics.

A bronze medallist from the Tokyo Games, Garside sensationally gave up his professional boxing status to chase gold at the 2024 Games.

That all came crashing down in Garside’s first-up loss to Richard Kovacs, with the Hungarian rubbing salt into the wound by goading the Aussie in the final round of the three-round bout.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Today show, the 27-year-old Victorian said the defeat still hadn’t sunk in.

“When we go through hard things, we dissociate and distract and it feels like a nightmare,” he said.

“I feel like I’m just waiting to wake up. It doesn’t feel real yet.”

Garside was mocked in the ring in the final round. Picture: International Olympic Broadcast Services.

Main Event boxing commentator Ben Damon wrote on X: “Absolute heartbreak for Harry Garside who goes down to Hungary’s Richard Kovacs by unanimous decision in a major upset.”

Sports fan Mick O’brien wrote: “Hopefully the w***er that just beat Harry Garside gets a hole punched through him in the quarters …. What a w***er.”

In a highly eventful 24 hours for the boxing star, he told Channel 7 after the defeat he had fallen in love after a struggle to find a partner during his career.

In his chat with Channel 9, Garside had at least composed himself enough to stress a lesson he wanted to direct towards young Aussies.

“It’s important for young people to see life will knock you down,” he said.

“A lot of it is out of our control sometimes too and I think it’s important for young people to see failure is part of life.

“We have visions, we have dreams and we get knocked down and it’s our choice what we do next.

“Obviously the next couple of months will be challenging. I want to sit in the grief and sorrow for a bit and then get back up and shoot for the stars.”

Harry held back tears as he spoke about his journey. Photo: Channel 9

Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo both praised Garside for his honesty and conduct after such a crushing blow.

“The important thing is that we acknowledge all the Olympians who come here who don’t necessarily achieve a medal and I want you to feel that, my man,” Stefanovic said.

“What you’ve just said then is as important as the message that comes from medalling. In fact, for most kids out there, it might be more important.”

Karl then spilled that his mum had requested him to give Garside a big hug if he ran into him following his loss.

In an emotional moment to wrap up the interview, the hosts and Garside wrapped their arms around one another.

Harry Garside on the Today show. Photo: Channel 9

Garside said he felt blessed to be Australian and to be surrounded by love from family and friends at home.

Twenty years ago, he said, when he’d started chasing his Olympic dream, he had thought a gold medal would bring him fulfilment.

But he’d since realised happiness was built of other things.

“The way you get self-worth and the way you get self-respect is how you treat other people,” he said.

“It’s the little moments in the day when you help someone carry their shopping or you shake someone’s hand or you say hello in public or you do something kind for someone.

”That is how you build your self-worth, self-confidence and self-love.”

He wasn’t sure what his next step would be, admitting he would face a “difficult” couple of months.

“Our mission in this world is to find out exactly who we are. I am definitely on the journey,” he said.

Originally published as Boxer Harry Garside reveals all in emotional post-Games interview