Harry Garside in line for pair of domestic blockbusters ahead of professional boxing comeback

Harry Garside is just days away from his return to professional boxing, but has already been linked to two huge domestic showdowns.

Harry Garside could be catapulted into a domestic blockbuster with Liam Paro or Liam Wilson within the next 12 months if his comeback against Charlie Bell is successful next week, according to No Limit boss George Rose.

Garside will step into the professional boxing ring for the first time since May 2022 in the co-main event to Sam Goodman’s showdown with Cesar Vaca at the Hordern Pavilion.

Garside is adamant on winning a world title in the second instalment of his professional career, but has a host of domestic talent to face as well.

Top of the list are Queensland heroes Paro and Wilson.

A domestic blockbuster could be on the cards for Harry Garside. Picture: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

Both Liams are scheduled to fight in the next few months, but Rose says a mouth-watering domestic match-up with Garside is a distinct possibility.

“This is just the first step in Harry’s restart — he knows there’s a long road ahead,” Rose told Code Sports.

“Harry’s not the type to talk shit or call people out for attention.

“He’s not out here throwing names around or disrespecting guys like Liam Paro or Liam Wilson.

“That’s not his style.

“He respects what they’ve done — they’ve proven themselves at the very top of the sport. They’re world-class fighters who’ve earned everything that’s come their way.

“But if Harry takes care of business next week and keeps the momentum going, I can absolutely see a fight with Paro or Wilson happening in the near future.”

Liam Paro is due back in the ring in June. Picture: Matchroom Boxing

It’s a mark of how much upside No Limit sees in Garside that the promoter is willing to throw him in with the likes of Paro and Wilson.

Nicknamed ‘The Prodigy’ Paro (25-1), won the IBF super-lightweight world title in one of Australian boxing’s great upsets against Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico last June.

Wilson (18-3) is a two-time world title contender and was ripped off in his 2023 super-featherweight showdown with Emanuel Navarrete in Arizona.

Wilson’s world title tilts were both at super-featherweight, but his two most recent bouts were at lightweight.

Paro and Wilson are both near the top of Australia’s pound-for-pound rankings, and are due back in action in June and July respectively.

Liam Wilson (L) was in a contender for fight of the year against Youssef Dib in February. Picture: No Limit Boxing

“Those are the kinds of all-Australian blockbusters that fans would love,” Rose said. “No trash talk, just elite-level athletes putting it all on the line.

“We’re in a golden era for Aussie boxing, and Harry wants to be part of that.

“But he knows he has to earn it.

“That all starts with Charlie Bell on May 14. He’s not looking past it — he’s locked in and ready to go.”

Garside returns at lightweight as a professional less than a year after his devastating first round loss at the Paris Olympics.

There were months after the Olympics when Garside thought he’d never fight again, but the 27-year-old says he needs closure before stepping away from the ring for good.

Garside reacts after his loss in Paris last year. Picture: Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

And while he has his sights set on a world title, Garside’s current drive is erasing the memories of that Paris defeat.

“I’m trying to focus on getting that respect back for myself as a boxer, because I feel like I have lost that,” he said. “You just want to feel like you’re progressing as an athlete and getting better and I just want to focus on that over the next 12 months.

“I’ve gotta live with my performance in Paris, and knowing I know what I’m capable of.

“I didn’t meet my own expectations.

“I’ve gotta sleep with that. I’ve gotta live with that.

“If I was to leave my boxing career after that performance in Paris, I’d be in a really negative place later on in life.

“So I need to get that respect back and make sure I’m walking out on the sport on my terms.”

Originally published as Harry Garside in line for pair of domestic blockbusters ahead of professional boxing comeback