The boxing world is stunned after Harry Garside opted against sitting down throughout the entirety of a gruelling 10-round bout with Manuer Matet on Wednesday night, in which he kept his professional record intact.
The Tokyo Olympic Games bronze medallist clinched a unanimous-points victory over Matet to become the new Australian National Boxing Federation lightweight champion – and not once did he take a seat between rounds.
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“It started at a frantic pace,” said Fox Sports commentator Ben Damon in a post-fight interview with Garside.
“Why the decision to stand up between rounds throughout this fight and are you surprised with just how fresh you appear to be right now?”
Garside explained why he chose not to sit down despite the intensity of the fight and the fact it went the distance at Moore Park’s Hordern Pavilion.
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“I’ve never sat down before. I’ve never sat down in sparring, I’ve never sat down in a fight,” Garside said.
“I know this is the longest fight I’ve ever had, but I’ve never understood sitting down.
“You never sit down when you spar – most boxers don’t – and I think when you sit down your mind tells you that you’re about to stop.
“So I’ve got to stay up, keep my legs moving, especially against an opponent like Manuer, who’s coming at me and (is) tough as nails.”
https://twitter.com/ausboxing/status/1511693582767652864
Two judges ruled 98-92 and the other 99-91.
This was Garside’s second professional bout and he carved out the win in a vastly different fashion to his first.
The 24-year-old’s debut, against Sachin Mudaliar in December, was ended via a controversial TKO in the first round.
Wednesday night’s 10-round fight gave fans a lengthy insight into his enormous promise, as he operated with lightning-quick footwork, rocketing punches, deadeye hits and extraordinary fitness.
In keeping with his towering standards, Garside gave a dire assessment of his fight.
“I’m always a massive critic…” he said.
“That was a terrible performance and I’m always looking to grow, always looking to be the best version of myself.
“I’m going to go back to the gym, watch that fight back.
“There’s always room for improvement.”
On the contrary, Australian boxing great Barry Michael described Garside’s performance as “phenomenal”.
“… beautiful position and timing. He’s like a ghost in there. He lands his punches and he’s gone,” Michael said.
“And he fought a very credible opponent who is in superb condition, as well, has got good reflexes, and he just basically took him apart. It was incredible.
“I never thought he lost a round. I thought the scores were a little bit closer than they should have been.”
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