BOXING Lave Retires With “No Regrets”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 5

BOXING Lave Retires With “No Regrets”

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, June 8. Kitione Lave, the 28-j'ear-old Tongan heavyweight boxer, has given up boxing and business to join the Royal Air Force. He was sworn in at Sheffield, where he signed as a regular airman for nine years. Afterwards, according to the "Yorkshire Post,” he “lashed out” at professional boxing.

“I want to forget about boxing and start my life afresh,” he said. "Once I lived for boxing, but it is no longer a sport—a man is used for financial gain. He has got to do what he is told, even though that may be wrong to him. “I have no regrets. I have been to the top of the boxing world—but I have never been happy. I want to settle down to a quiet normal life in the Air Force with my family,”

The “Yorkshire Post” writer said: “Lave came from the Friendly Isles with a big reputation eight years ago and fought his way to the top. He went into the big money as a fighter, but then his success started to fall off and he changed his managers twice. ’ "He appeared in Court and was bound over by magistrates for planning to fight bare fists with a gipsy for a £5OO side stake in public. He had his boxing licence withdrawn for several months.” "Disgusted With Game” Lave’s wife said: “Kit carried on fighting, but he was disgusted with the game. He

fought in America and was told that if he did not lose, he would not get his fare home. “There is a lot he could say about professional boxing but he wants to forget about it. "It has been difficult for him to get a job because boxing was his whole life. He put some money into business, but lost it, because he had no experience in business life. He has been thinking about joining the R.A.F. tor a long time.” Lave is a candidate for an R.A.F. regiment. “He will be most useful to us as an airman and a sportsman,” said a recruting officer.