Garth Wood – The Mundine KO and the Long Road Back
This week’s Kenty Prime Time sees Paul Kent and Johnny Elias sit down with Garth Wood, the former NRL player and boxing sensation. Garth shares the raw and inspiring story of his journey from rock bottom to one of the most famous knockouts in Australian sporting history.
The Downward Spiral
Garth describes the period before his boxing career as a dark chapter following a broken marriage and the end of his football career. He admits he was "on the booze pretty heavily," drowning his sorrows for 18 months and struggling to be the father he wanted to be. The turning point came when legendary trainer Johnny Lewis phoned with a last-minute spot in the Contender boxing series. Despite being in the middle of a three-day bender, Garth told Lewis he was "spot on," recognising it as his final chance to turn his life around.
Psychological Warfare with the "Russian Killer"
Entering the Contender house as a novice, Garth was pitted against Victor Oganov, a terrifying fighter with 27 knockouts in 28 wins. Realising he couldn't outbox a world-class Russian athlete, Garth leaned into mind games:
- The Noise Complaints: He would sneak out for midnight runs while leaving his telly and radio on full blast to disrupt Oganov's sleep.
- The "Lunatic" Strategy: He hammered on the walls and shouted at Oganov through the plasterboard to convince him he was fighting a madman.
- The Scrap: Their eventual bout turned into a proper "car park fight," involving headbutts and a spear tackle, as Garth successfully rattled the favourite to clinch a massive upset.
Shocking the World: The Mundine KO
The journey led to a high-stakes showdown with Anthony Mundine. Garth reveals the brutal physical toll of the fight, having to shed 14kg to make weight. He was so depleted he had to be helped onto the scales. In the ring, however, the plan worked perfectly. Following Jeff Fenech’s specific training, Garth landed a devastating left rip to the body followed by a massive overhand right that finished the "Golden Boy." Garth describes the moment as the "universe coming through" for him, finally achieving the professional success he had craved since childhood.
Mental Health and the "R U OK?" Mission
Garth is now a dedicated ambassador for R U OK?, a cause inspired by his own battles with depression. He emphasises that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness:
- "Everyone hurts. No one’s Superman. It’s tough times... you just have to be aware for your loved ones."
Today, Garth balances life working in demolition with a burgeoning acting career, having appeared in projects like Last King of the Cross. Kenty noted that his "lived-in" face is now perfect for gritty character roles.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
