BOXING: 24-year-old Victorian lightweight Harry Garside will become just the sixth Australian to win an Olympic boxing medal and the first in 33 years, after a split decision victory in his Tokyo quarter final.
Up against Kazakhstan’s 34-year-old veteran Zakir Safiullin, Garside was again crafty and super-fast, but the margin between the two was razor thin.
A veteran of 90 fights Safiullin, started well, keeping the pressure on Garside who responded with superb footwork and distance control. Round one saw the five ringside judges split, three to two in favour of Safiullin.
The second round was more of the same, although Garside began to counter with more combinations and mixing his shots between head and body to begin to edge in front, again the judges were split but this time three gave Garside the points.
In the corner going into the final round, trainer Kevin Smith looked calm, telling Garside he must control the tempo of the fight and counter on his terms. With three minutes to keep their Olympic dreams alive both boxers gave their all. If anything, Garside looked more at ease and perhaps that was the difference.
In a round where again, there was little separating them, Garside’s distance control and head movement made his opponent miss often while the Victorian scored with counters. At the bell they both lifted their arms in victory.
It would take a brave soul to bet on the outcome and when they came together at centre ring for the decision it was Garside who was left to celebrate.
Australia’s last Olympic medallist was Graeme “spike” Cheney with his silver in 1988, before that you have to go back to Rome in 1960 to light heavyweight Tony Madigan and bantamweight Oliver Taylor.
It’s an exclusive club and Garside has the chance to do what no Australian has done and claim Olympic boxing Gold.
“This is the highlight of my life so far, but I definitely don't want it to be the highlight of my life because I'm only 24 and I've got a long way to go.
"I’ve been visualising it every day, I can see myself with that medal, my heart palpitates the adrenaline is pumping, Australia deserves a gold medal in boxing,” Garside said.
On the road to the semis Garside has already beaten the world’s number two, next up is number one Andy Cruz of Cuba.
Jon Harker
