'You've been hit too much': Harry Garside wins comeback as referee's decision devastates rival
Updated . First published at
Harry Garside has won his first fight since crashing out of the Paris 2024 Olympics in gut-wrenching fashion, collecting a TKO victory against Charlie Bell in Sydney on Wednesday night.
But Garside's win was earned in controversial fashion with the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist declared the victor when the referee told Bell he was not allowed to continue after the fifth round.
"I'm stopping it," referee Les Fear told Bell. "You've been hit too much."
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Stunned and furious with the referee's decision, Bell repeatedly said "no" to the referee, but the Queenslander's night was over.
Garside and Bell both suffered a cut to their head in the first round, which required medical attention at each interval so blood could be soaked up.
Charlie Bell is told the fight is over. Main Event
The referee had a word with Bell's trainer after the fourth round, telling him he must protect his head.
Bell's trainer hit back, saying he was doing exactly that and stating "that's boxing".
The super-lightweight bout was then ended three minutes later.
"What happened?" Tim Tszyu said on the Main Event coverage, seemingly unaware that the fight had been ended with a round to go.
Tszyu then gave his thoughts on the stoppage when commentator Ben Damon explained what had taken place.
"I think Charlie Bell deserves to continue on," Tszyu said.
"I don't think he was ever really hurt. He's an Aussie warrior and I feel like he could have continued. You can see by his facial expressions he really wanted to finish the fight.
"I guess the referee's trying to protect him, but I don't know."
Harry Garside celebrates defeating Charlie Bell via TKO. No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous
Wednesday night's fight was Garside's first professional bout since May 2022.
The Melbourne product has now fought four professional fights and won all of them, defeating Sachin Mudaliar, Manuer A Matet, Layton McFerran and Bell.
"It feels amazing [to be back]," Garside said in the ring after Wednesday night's fight.
"I love everything about fight week. The emotions that go through your body, especially on fight day, are pretty extreme. It's just always good to be in here."
He was asked if the cut rattled him.
"Yeah, it did, of course," replied Garside, who fought on a card headlined by Sam Goodman.
Garside had five staples punched into his head after his fight to close the wound.
"I haven't been cut in a long time," he said.
"You've almost got to be a little bit smarter, maybe not take as many risks.
"But I'm so grateful for the corner team."
The cut Garside received in the first round of his fight. No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous
Garside was vocal ahead of the Paris Olympics about his desire to win Olympic gold in France, but his long-held dream was dashed in the first round at the hands of Hungarian Richard Kovacs.
"I feel pretty numb right now ... I feel like a failure," he told Nine in a confronting interview immediately after the bout.
"I know sportsmen are just supposed to say the right thing right now ... but deep down inside I fear for what the next couple of months look like for myself.
"I'm sure there'll be some dark times ... I've got to be prepared for that now."
