Harry Garside has seen boxing save lives and reckons it’d be a “crime against humanity” if it’s wiped from the Los Angeles 2028 schedule.
There are genuine fears the Paris Games will be boxing’s last Olympic appearance.
The International Olympic Committee has issued an early 2025 deadline for the sport to find a new governing body after stripping the International Boxing Association due to integrity concerns.
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Garside made a captivating run to bronze three years ago in Tokyo — Australia’s first boxing medal in 33 years, the sport surging in popularity back home ever since.
“Boxing is for everyone and it might not be at the next Olympics,” he said after arriving in Paris on Wednesday.
“It’s one of the oldest sports in the Olympics, was in the ancient Olympics as well.
“For it to not be in the Olympics would be a crime against humanity.”
Garside added on social media: “It wouldn’t be the Olympics without boxing!!”
Australia has a record 12 boxers in Paris aiming to be the country’s first Olympic champions in the sport.
Among them is the first Indigenous and Muslim woman to box for Australia at the Games, while the Pacific Island, European, African and South American heritage is also represented.
“Politics is politics; there’s a lot more paperwork there but it’s about the athletes who have been dreaming of this,” Garside said.
“To take that away from them would be a crime, truly.
“It’s historically a poor man’s sport … I’ve seen boxing save many people’s lives.
“And we’re two Olympics away from Brisbane; if we can win a few medals here it’ll make it so much bigger.”
Caitlin Parker will become the first Australian woman to box at two Olympics, with females only on the schedule since London 2012.
“I’ve always been so obsessed about it and it makes me so sad that some kids starting that have the same dream that it could be shattered for them,” she said.
“Especially women, who are just starting to create history in this sport.
“We’re seeing the growth in Australia, around the world. It would be an absolute crime.”
The boxing draw will be revealed on Thursday in Paris before the action begins on Saturday at Roland Garros.
“Combat sport is one of the most primitive and pure places we can go,” said Garside, who aborted his professional career to have another Olympic crack.
“Once the draw gets done that’s when the animal instinct comes out.
“The intensity comes over the body and I feel that now … it’ll be on.”