Harry Garside uncertain if he’ll ever box again ahead of I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!

He was touted as a future world champion when he went to the Tokyo Olympics and claimed a historic medal. Now Harry Garside has dropped a bombshell on his future in the sport.

Harry Garside isn’t sure what the future holds.

It is crunch time for Olympic boxer Harry Garside.

Revealed as a contestant on reality show I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, the 25-year-old concedes he has some “huge” decisions ahead of him.

“To be honest I am undecided and I am hoping the jungle will be the place where I can explore it a little bit more with all of the free time,” Garside told The Daily Telegraph of his future career options.

“I really hope that in that time I have a few answers about what direction I would like to walk in when it comes to boxing and the future of my life.”

There are three options in Garside’s mind.

Harry Garside is ready to rumble on I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!

“There is professional boxing, set myself up for life, win a world title and make a lot of money,” he explained.

“Then there is amateur boxing, the honour and pride, Australia has never won an Olympic gold medal and I’d love to be the first. And then also as well, potentially walking away from boxing altogether and starting a family or putting my mind towards a business or something else. They are the three options, personally my heart and my love is still in boxing so I think option three probably isn’t really an option but it has still got to be on the cards I guess.”

Garside, who won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, is one of 13 familiar faces competing on the latest series of the reality show, which returns to South Africa after being grounded in Australia through the pandemic.

He is competing to win the $100,000 prize money for his chosen charity, Reach youth organisation.

Harry Garside could return to the Olympics. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

His identity was rumoured in the lead-up to last night’s season premiere with Ten releasing a series of clues for each of the celebrities.

“An Olympic Medalist is ready for a rumble in the African jungle,” his clue read. “When it comes to stereotypes, he won’t be boxed in.”

In February, with rumours swirling Garside would be on the show, his former trainer Johnny Lewis spoke of his disappointment at the athlete’s decision.

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

“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.”

In response, Garside said: “Our relationship ended respectfully, it ended in a good way I thought. I have nothing but love for Johnny, he helped me out for the year we were together so I’ve got nothing but love for him. I guess we are walking in different directions and I am okay with that, I have put that to bed.”

Originally published as Harry Garside uncertain if he’ll ever box again ahead of I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!