Australian Olympian Harry Garside has admitted to getting ‘fiery’ after being forced to defend claims of favouritism surrounding his spot the national team for Paris — while also taking aim at members of a Sydney fight crowd who booed him on Friday night.
Working the final No Limit event of the year as a Fox Sports analyst, Garside became the unexpected centre of attention after being called out by winning debutant Ahmed Reda.
Back in August at an Olympic qualifying event, Reda was beaten unanimously by Garside for a spot on the Paris team.
Apart from calling out the Aussie favourite as he sat on stage with a Fox Sports panel, Reda then doubled down with journalists backstage.
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“The judges are always a bit on his side but you know, what can you say? What can you do?” he shrugged.
“It’s really hard to get a decision against him. He’s the favourite. Whether we like it or not, he’s the favourite and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Reda added that he wants a rematch with Garside in the professional ranks, saying: “He does the same stuff over and over.
“Comes in, tap-tap, back out.
“You can’t really do that in the pros. Over 10 rounds, mate your legs will fold over four rounds.
“I’ll put the pressure on and pick the punches. Four ounce gloves it’s a different ball game.”
Asked about the claims of favouritism in the Reda fight, Garside said: “That’s boxing, people are so sceptical, right?
“Everyone has an interpretation and everyone wants to believe these things.
“I showed up, it was a good hard fight and I expected that.
“People can talk.
“But I’m just focused on the Paris Olympics.
“I’ll just keep winning and stay focused on what I’m supposed to do.”
Fighting on the undercard of Australian fight stars Sam Goodman and Liam Wilson, Reda stopped fellow debutant Taunga Kairenga in just two rounds.
The Sydneysider then called out to Garside from the ring, as large crowd of his supporters also shouted at the Olympian and booed him.
“And Ahmed has every right to say what he said,” Garside started.
“But everyone else in the crowd booing, if you’re not a fighter, and you’re going to sit here and boo me?
“I’m the guy in the arena.
“If I walk down there now, all those people booing in the crowds, I guarantee if I walked down there now, one on one, they wouldn’t say anything to my face.
“They’re all tough in a crowd while I’m up here.
“But if go down here … that’s why I respect any guy in the arena.
“And why I respect Ahmed, he got in there and did his job.
“But booing me? C’mon guys.
“I’m a fighter, and try my best.”
When it was suggested it looked like he was ready to shout back, or even head down from the stage, Garside said: “Absolutely.
“I’m not going to be walked over.
“I always try to be a good person, but at the same time I’m not going to be disrespected. No one should be.
“I just do my work and try to show up and be the best fighter I can be.
“And that’s what I’ll do in Paris.”
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Asked if any of this was what he had expected when rocking up for work on Friday night, he laughed: “I did not.
“And I got quite fiery.
“It takes a bit to get me fired up so I just had to take a few minutes to compose myself.”
Garside said he also believed he had done enough in the Olympic trial against Reda which he won five-nil.
“And it was a good fight, I’m not going to lie,” he said.
“It felt like I was in control but he’s a class opponent.
“He’ll give most people trouble.
“He’s strong. He’s tough, has ability.
“But I got the decision and one step closer to that gold medal.”
On his efforts in his professional debut, Garside added: “He showed tonight his talent and I expect that. He’s a class fighter.
“And I think he will give anyone trouble in the lightweight division.
“He did well in his pro debut.
“But people calling you out, that’s boxing.
“I’m just focused on the Olympics come July.
“And we’ll see what comes after that.”
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