Aussie Olympic Hero Calls Floyd Mayweather A 'Tosser' For Snubbing Fan With Painted Nails

Aussie fan favourite Harry Garside has joined the chorus of people criticising Floyd Mayweather for denying a young fan a photograph simply because he had his nails painted.

In a video clip posted online, the teenage boy can be seen innocently asking the retired boxer for a quick picture at an NBA game before being quickly shut down.

"You got painted nails," Mayweather yelled. "I don't take pictures with guys with no painted nails."

When footage of the bizarre exchange surfaced on social media, people wasted no time in slamming Mayweather for his response, with some labelling him a homophobe.

One person who took exception to the brutal snub was Australian Olympic hero Harry Garside.

"Guess I won't be asking fellow Olympic Bronze medallist for a photo," the boxer said in an Instagram picture of him holding up his Tokyo medal with his nails painted.

The Australian boxer also dubbed Mayweather a 'tosser' in the hashtags and concluded 'money can't buy class'.

"I think Floyd has every right to deny him anyone from taking a photo. [But] I don't agree with it at all, and I think the way he handled it was very poor - to put that young fan on show. I think that's sad," Garside told Fox Sports Australia.

"It just showcased to me the society we live in, we put athletes, celebrities, people who have money on a pedestal, when I don't think they really deserve it.

"That young person was such a fan... and for him to turn him away like that, and to make it really obvious about why he was turning him away, was, I think, pretty sad."

Garside won over the hearts of everyone during his time in Tokyo for the 2020 Games.

Inside the ring, his talent spoke for itself as he earned Australia its first Olympic boxing medal in over 33 years.

But outside of it, it's easy to see how he managed to captivate the nation.

During his time in Japan, Garside - who was sporting painted nails and a classic mullet - revealed he planned on wearing a dress to the opening ceremony in Tokyo in a bid to 'break stereotypes'.

Garside did fall agonisingly short in his quest for gold, suffering a defeat at the hands of world No.1 Andy Cruz in their Olympic semi-final.

But his Olympic journey will be remember fondly by all as he prepares to make his professional debut in November on Tim Tszyu's undercard.

Topics: Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry