Aussie Olympian Harry Garside facing ugly legal battle over comments made during I’m a Celebrity… with the star boxer no certainty to return to the sport
- Garside is facing ugly legal battle
- Manager launched defamation action
- Boxer made disparaging comments
Harry Garside is facing an ugly fight out of the ring, with the boxer’s manager launching a defamation case against Garside and Channel 10 for comments made during an episode of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
Tipped by many to be a future world champion, the 25-year-old ballet-dancing former plumber has admitted on the show that his fighting career is currently up in the air and that he has some big decisions to make.
Garside’s manager Peter Mitrevski was angered by comments made by the boxer, which he regards as both offensive and inaccurate.
‘I hated turning professional, just people around me who wanted me because I was a potential cash cow,’ Garside said to AFL player Adam Cooney.
‘They didn’t want my best interests.
Harry Garside is facing an ugly fight out of the ring, with the boxer’s manager launching a defamation case against Garside and Channel 10 for comments made during an episode of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
Tipped by many to be a future world champion, the 25-year-old ballet-dancing former plumber has admitted on the show that his fighting career is currently up in the air and that he has some big decisions to make
‘It’s so dirty and I really didn’t like it.
‘I hate knowing there’s people around me who didn’t particularly care about my wellbeing, they cared about the 10 per cent. It was really frustrating.’
Mitrevski, who took over as Garside’s manager after the Tokyo Olympics, also alleges that the talented boxer has broken his contract and another deal with No Limit Boxing – both of which have paid him substantial sign-on fees.
Mitrevski declined to comment to News Corp about the issue other than saying: ‘It’s in the hands of my lawyers.’
Just a year ago, Garside told media he was determined to be the best boxer Australia has produced, but now he seems to be heading in a different direction.
The Olympic bronze medalist and Commonwealth gold medalist has not fought since May last year when he suffered a hand injury that required surgery and doesn’t seem as interested in fighting pro.
He says he now sees three different options for himself.
‘There is professional boxing, set myself up for life, win a world title and make a lot of money,’ he said.
Mitrevski, who took over as Garside’s manager after the Tokyo Olympics, also alleges that the talented boxer has broken his contract and another deal with No Limit Boxing – both of which have paid him substantial sign-on fees
Just a year ago, Garside told media he was determined to be the best boxer Australia has produced, but now he seems to be heading in a different direction
‘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.’
His decision to appear on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here caused legendary boxing trainer Johnny Lewis to to abruptly dump Garside.
‘The ingredients for being a world champion are hard work and commitment,’ Lewis said.
‘You can’t keep knocking back fights. There are no shortcuts in the fight game. I’m actually really disappointed but I genuinely wish him well although I’m not sure that he’s choosing the right path.’
The final episode of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here will air on Sunday evening.
