Australia investigating boxer accused of assault

Australian immigration officials are investigating Tongan lightweight boxer Sitaleki Maka, who is due to take part in next week's Melbourne Commonwealth Games, after revelations that he faces assault charges in Auckland.

An immigration department spokesman last night told The Dominion Post the department would seek more information on the matter.

Maka, one of a six-strong Tongan boxing team, has been training in Auckland and is due to fly to Melbourne this weekend.

He was granted bail -- despite police opposition -- when he appeared in Auckland District Court on Tuesday charged with two counts of injuring with intent and two counts of common assault after a bottle attack on four teenagers at an Auckland skate bowl on February 24.

Maka, 20, is alleged to have put one of the teenagers in hospital with head injuries in the attack. He denies he is the person responsible, saying it is a case of mistaken identity.

The injured teenager's father, Rob Halliday, said Maka should not be allowed to go to Melbourne. He said competing at the Games was an honour and those representing their countries should be role models.

Maka has already been given immigration clearance as part of the accreditation process for athletes. Games participants enter Australia on a special visa called a Commonwealth Games Travel Authority.

Applications were subject to standard checks and it was possible to revoke a visa, the Australian immigration spokesman said.

Maka's coach, Lolo Heimuli, said the boxer was adamant he was not involved and deserved the chance to defend himself in court.

He was "200 per cent" confident the boxer would not abscond and would return after the games and report to court.

In making the decision, Judge Michael Behrens said Maka's desire to take part in the Games weighed heavily on him, the Herald reported today.

"It seems to me that were I to deny you bail now then I would really cast you into some sort of a pit from which a person who has possibly alcohol problems and problems with violence may never climb," Judge Behrens said.

Maka told TV3 last night: "Sorry, I didn't do it, and I'm a bit scared."

New Zealand boxer Soulan Pownceby, who was jailed for four years in 1995 for the manslaughter of his baby daughter, was last month cleared to fight at the Games. He needed authority from Australian Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone confirming he is of good character.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said at the time he thought Pownceby should not compete.

- NZPA