Amir Khan said "justice has been done" while his promoters claimed the World Boxing Association had been forced to order a rematch with Lamont Peterson due to "questionable decisions" by Joseph Cooper, the referee, and Mustafa Ameen's "apparent intrusion into the scoring process" during last month's world title fight.
A rematch has been ordered to take place within 180 days with Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions responding to the WBA's decision by declaring Peterson's split-decision victory in Washington DC to have "been riddled with controversy as a result of a plethora of anomalies". Khan lost both his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in Peterson's home town on 10 December.
"I'm pleased that justice has been done and the WBA has ordered an immediate rematch," Khan said. "All we ask as sportsmen is for a fair and level playing field when we compete. Lamont Peterson proved in our fight that he is a great competitor and I hope that a second bout will be just as exciting. I want to prove without doubt that I'm the best in the 140lb division by taking care of business in the rematch."
Asked when the rematch might happen, Khan said: "Normally I give myself a 10-week training camp. I think the fight could happen round about mid-April or May. We'll be more than ready."
Khan has vociferously complained about a number of issues since the defeat and has lobbied the WBA, the IBF and the Washington DC commission to change the result to a no-contest and/or force the two men to fight again.
A joint statement from Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions alleged that the bout had been "riddled with controversy as a result of a plethora of anomalies.
"The WBA concluded that the bout's outcome was impacted by the referee Joseph Cooper's questionable failure to credit Khan with a knockdown in round one and his questionable decisions to deduct points from Khan in rounds seven and 12. The WBA also pointed to Mr [Mustafa] Ameen's apparent intrusion into the scoring process as well as possible discrepancies between the scoresheets of the two sanctioning organisations and the local athletic commission.
"The WBA went out of its way to note that, under normal circumstances, it would not disturb the discretionary function of a referee. In this case, because of the multiple irregularities, it was necessary for it to order the rematch."
Richard Schaefer, the chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, told ******: "I think it's the right decision and I hope that we can get the rematch done. I'm thrilled. Amir and Lamont are terrific young men and athletes who fought their hearts out in Washington and I'm sure this decision will get applause from fight fans around the world.
"The rematch will be one of the most anticipated fights of 2012 because both guys are exciting, young and it's exactly the kind of fight people want to see."
Khan's advisors initially claimed Peterson's team voluntarily agreed to a rematch in the immediate aftermath of the bout only to change their minds.
Peterson could still opt to relinquish the WBA title rather than give Khan a second chance – particularly if the IBF, at a hearing on 18 January, allows him to keep its belt without fighting Khan again.
Peterson's trainer and manager Barry Hunter this week accused Khan of using "foul tactics and false accusations" to discredit the new champion.
Khan was unimpressed with the accusations of being a bad loser. He told Sky Sports News: "I think deep down he knows he lost that fight. I think he knows if he fights me again he'll get beaten. That's the reason they're digging out these little excuses – if he really thinks I'm a sore loser, come and do it again.
"If they think they can beat me properly then let's have it again because I know next time I fight him it's not going to go the full distance. I will knock him out."
And on what his next move would be should he beat Peterson, Khan said: "My ideal fight would be against someone like Floyd Mayweather. That's a fight that could happen. If Manny Pacquiao is not going to fight him then I will step in towards the end of this year.
"People say 'Has it [he defeat to Peterson] put you back in any way?' In a way it's only put me back three months. As soon as I beat him I'll be back where I am and hopefully Floyd Mayweather will be the fight this year."
A rematch has been ordered to take place within 180 days with Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions responding to the WBA's decision by declaring Peterson's split-decision victory in Washington DC to have "been riddled with controversy as a result of a plethora of anomalies". Khan lost both his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in Peterson's home town on 10 December.
"I'm pleased that justice has been done and the WBA has ordered an immediate rematch," Khan said. "All we ask as sportsmen is for a fair and level playing field when we compete. Lamont Peterson proved in our fight that he is a great competitor and I hope that a second bout will be just as exciting. I want to prove without doubt that I'm the best in the 140lb division by taking care of business in the rematch."
Asked when the rematch might happen, Khan said: "Normally I give myself a 10-week training camp. I think the fight could happen round about mid-April or May. We'll be more than ready."
Khan has vociferously complained about a number of issues since the defeat and has lobbied the WBA, the IBF and the Washington DC commission to change the result to a no-contest and/or force the two men to fight again.
A joint statement from Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions alleged that the bout had been "riddled with controversy as a result of a plethora of anomalies.
"The WBA concluded that the bout's outcome was impacted by the referee Joseph Cooper's questionable failure to credit Khan with a knockdown in round one and his questionable decisions to deduct points from Khan in rounds seven and 12. The WBA also pointed to Mr [Mustafa] Ameen's apparent intrusion into the scoring process as well as possible discrepancies between the scoresheets of the two sanctioning organisations and the local athletic commission.
"The WBA went out of its way to note that, under normal circumstances, it would not disturb the discretionary function of a referee. In this case, because of the multiple irregularities, it was necessary for it to order the rematch."
Richard Schaefer, the chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, told ******: "I think it's the right decision and I hope that we can get the rematch done. I'm thrilled. Amir and Lamont are terrific young men and athletes who fought their hearts out in Washington and I'm sure this decision will get applause from fight fans around the world.
"The rematch will be one of the most anticipated fights of 2012 because both guys are exciting, young and it's exactly the kind of fight people want to see."
Khan's advisors initially claimed Peterson's team voluntarily agreed to a rematch in the immediate aftermath of the bout only to change their minds.
Peterson could still opt to relinquish the WBA title rather than give Khan a second chance – particularly if the IBF, at a hearing on 18 January, allows him to keep its belt without fighting Khan again.
Peterson's trainer and manager Barry Hunter this week accused Khan of using "foul tactics and false accusations" to discredit the new champion.
Khan was unimpressed with the accusations of being a bad loser. He told Sky Sports News: "I think deep down he knows he lost that fight. I think he knows if he fights me again he'll get beaten. That's the reason they're digging out these little excuses – if he really thinks I'm a sore loser, come and do it again.
"If they think they can beat me properly then let's have it again because I know next time I fight him it's not going to go the full distance. I will knock him out."
And on what his next move would be should he beat Peterson, Khan said: "My ideal fight would be against someone like Floyd Mayweather. That's a fight that could happen. If Manny Pacquiao is not going to fight him then I will step in towards the end of this year.
"People say 'Has it [he defeat to Peterson] put you back in any way?' In a way it's only put me back three months. As soon as I beat him I'll be back where I am and hopefully Floyd Mayweather will be the fight this year."
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