Washington Press
September 4, 1948
Hungarian Gold Medalist
Defection Confirmed
By Martin Sinclair
The U.S. embassy in London today confirmed recent reports that Hungarian boxer Laszlo Papp has been granted political asylum. Papp, a middleweight, won a gold medal at the London Olympics last month and was rumored to be missing when the games closed two weeks ago.
Papp is among the first wave of Hungarians seeking refuge from the purges recently instituted by Communist leader Matyas Rakosi who has targeted the country's celebraties who have resisted his efforts to use them for propaganda purposes.
According to an embassy spokesman, Papp will fly to New York City within the next few days for processing. Although the spokesman declined comment, sources in the boxing world indicate that Papp will enter the ranks of professional boxing.
New York has the highest concentration of Hungarians in the free world and requires thirty days residency for a boxing license. If Papp does settle there, he could be boxing professionally within six weeks.
Once Papp arrives in New York, it is anticipated that there will be a press conference at which details of his plans will be revealed.
Below: Hungarian middleweight Laszlo Papp (center) during last month's medal ceremony at the London Olympics. Papp was awarded a gold medal and has officially defected to the United States after being granted political asylum.