Harry Garside opens up on 'super challenging' ordeal after being accused of domestic assault against ex Ashley Ruscoe

Australian boxer Harry Garside has opened up on the mental toll of his domestic violence charge, revealing that the saga has turned him into 'a man'.

Garside, 25, was arrested by NSW Police in dramatic scenes at Sydney Airport as he returned home with his father after shooting the reality TV show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in South Africa earlier this year.

Police dropped the charges against the 25-year-old in a Sydney court after his legal team produced video evidence they said showed his ex-girlfriend, Ashley Ruscoe, was the alleged aggressor during an incident on March 1. 

Garside had steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings that had been brought against him. 

Ms Ruscoe, 35, was arrested at her Bellevue Hill home in July and charged with assaulting and intimidating her former partner, Mr Garside. 

Months later, Ruscoe - who works as a boxing coach and wellness guru - was subsequently charged with two counts of intentionally distributing intimate images without consent. 

Garside has steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, with the court case ongoing and Ruscoe pleads not guilty to all charges. 

And speaking to SEN radio from the Pacific Games, the Olympian was candid in his reflections on the ordeal. 

'It's something that's never easy, right? Being in the public domain all the time and in the public spotlight and going through something like that, it was super challenging,' Garside said.

'But I think all that I've learned in my sporting career, and I feel like this year, as well, although it was very challenging I feel like this year I turned into a man.

'I'm very grateful that all I went through this year, I'm very grateful that I got through it very quickly and I'm very grateful that I've realised who's in my team, who's stood by me. My circle got smaller but I'm very grateful for that, too.'

Garside said he chose not to wallow in self pity during the saga.

'It's never easy, but ... there's so many other people in the world that are going through much harder things,' Garside said.

'I'm grateful to be through it and just focusing on Paris 2024.'

Speaking of France next year, Garside believes the best is yet to come.

'I definitely feel like I'm on the way there [to being better than I was in Tokyo], which is great,' Garside said.

'I think as athletes, going into the age of 26, 27, that's probably the peak time for boxers, which is great.

'I think leading into Paris you'll see the best version of Harry Garside, which is nice.'