Harry Garside (right) takes on Cuban Andy Cruz.Credit:Getty Images
Garside secured Australia’s first bronze medal in boxing for 33 years in the lightweight division. He had higher hopes and wanted a spot in the gold medal match before being outclassed by the excellent Cuban Andy Cruz on Friday,who won every round and forced a standing count in the third.
There was disappointment afterwards,as well as a commitment to fight again in Paris in 2024,possibly mixing some professional outings with his amateur status as is now allowed under the current rules.
A tattoo of Muhammad Ali on Harry Garside’s leg.Credit:Getty Images
Garside didn’t care too much for the history of his achievement,which breaks a long dry spell for Australian fighters. Of more importance was his growth as a young man who has learned to embrace his eccentricities,one of which sees him spend parts of his week working on jetés and free enchaînements on top of hooks and jabs.
“I’m more proud of myself,how I conducted myself,” Garside replied when asked what it meant to be Australia’s first boxing medal winner since Spike Cheney in 1988. “Who would have thought a boy from Lilydale[outside of Melbourne] would win a bronze medal at the Olympics?
“No matter how big I get in boxing,I never want to lose myself. I’m learning to love every aspect of myself,that’s something I struggled with when I was younger. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough and that’s half the reason why I’m here,to try and prove I am good enough.
“I’m finding out new things about myself every day. I’m learning to love myself for who I am and if that means expressing myself a little differently,I don’t mind.”