U.S. BOXER MAY LIVE IN N.Z.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30633, 26 December 1964, Page 15

U.S. BOXER MAY LIVE IN N.Z.

"The Press” Special Service

HAMILTON, December 25.

The coloured American light-heavy-weight boxer, Bobby Stininato, whose wife Margaret, and their two children are now living in Hamilton, is to seek New Zealand citizenship early next year.

Mrs Stininaito said in Hamilton that her husband had been granted a temporary visa to stay in New Zealand and had been told by the Immigration Department that his prospects of citizenship were good when the temporary permit expired. Stininato, a West Indian by birth, was one of the most skilful of the American boxers of recent years to visit these shores.

Emigrating at an early age to the United States, where he eventually became an American subject, Stininato since becoming a professional

boxer has won renown for his high degree of fast, scientific boxing.

Successful Campaign Stininato campaigned in New Zealand during 1962 after being imported by the Wellington Boxing Association and later staying on for nine months to fight for other associations. He was the top professional money-earner in boxing during 1962, receiving £2BOO in purse money. The Hamilton Boxing Association, which sponsored him in major outdoor fights, enjoyed a bonanza while he remained in the country. In Hamilton alone Stininato earned £2OOO in purse money, no mean feat for a city that hardly classes boxing as a major sport. “Bobby has won all three of his recent fights in Honolulu and Las Vegas,” said Mrs Stininato. “Once his overseas commitments are complete he is very anxious to rejoin his family once more in this country.”