Harry Garside Poised for Professional Comeback Following Heartbreaking Loss in Paris

Australian boxing sensation Harry Garside is poised to make his comeback to the professional ring after a lengthy hiatus of nearly nine months, following an early exit from the Paris Olympics. His ambition is clear: to ascend to world champion status.

No Limit Boxing, Garside’s promotional company, revealed on Wednesday that he will square off against Queensland’s Charlie Bell in the lightweight category at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on May 14.

This match marks Garside’s first appearance in the ring since the Paris Games, where he suffered a defeat at the hands of Hungarian fighter Richard Kovacs in the under-63.5-kilogram weight class.

This bout will be Garside’s first professional outing since May 2022.

Sharing the card with Garside, Albion Park’s Sam Goodman will be fighting Mexican contender Cesar Vaca in a world title eliminator on the same evening at the Hordern Pavilion.

“I’m back, and I couldn’t be more excited to team up with No Limit,” Garside expressed.

“They are the premier boxing promotion in this part of the world, and I’m confident they are the right group to help me tap into my potential and motivate others along my journey.”

“I’ve taken the time to reflect, develop, and reset myself, and now I’m geared up to pursue greatness again.”

“The aim is straightforward: to be the best version of myself, both in and out of the ring, and ultimately become a world champion.”

Boasting a professional record of 3-0, Garside has emerged victorious against Sachin Mudaliar, Manuer A Matet, and Layton McFerran following the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where he secured a bronze medal.

After his disappointing exit in the opening round of the Paris Games, Garside was candid in an interview with Nine, stating: “I feel pretty numb right now … I feel like a failure.”

He had been vocal about his desire to win gold leading up to the 2024 Paris Games.

“I know athletes are expected to say the right things at times like this … but deep inside, I worry about what the upcoming months will bring for me,” Garside remarked in Paris, clearly devastated.

“I’m sure there’ll be some tough moments … I need to be ready for that now.”

His opponent, Bell, holds a professional record of 5-1.

“Harry Garside is one of the most exceptional and captivating athletes in Australia, and we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome him back to No Limit,” commented George Rose, the CEO of No Limit.

“We’ve witnessed his talent in the amateurs, and now it’s time to see him realise his full potential in the professional realm. His comeback is set to be a monumental event for Australian boxing.”

Goodman, with a professional record of 19-0 (including eight knockouts), will also be making his return after defeating Thachtana Luangphon last July. Vaca, his opponent, holds a record of 19-1-1 (with 11 knockouts).

“I’m absolutely pumped to be back in the ring, doing what I love,” Goodman expressed.

“Nothing can hold me back from becoming a world champion. I’m ready to show that. Although Vaca may have trained with [Japanese boxer Naoya] Inoue, he’s never faced anyone quite like me.”