Amir Khan loses appeal against Peterson decision

AMIR Khan’s appeal against his defeat by Lamont Peterson has been rejected by the International Boxing Federation, according to reports.

Peterson secured a controversial victory over Khan this month, claiming his IBF and WBA light-welterweight crowns, after the Bolton fighter twice suffered points deductions.

Khan heavily criticised referee Joe Cooper after the fight and his camp decided to appeal.

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However, www.skysports.com quoted IBF championships chairman Lindsay Tucker as saying: “We found no discrepancies that would affect the outcome or the result of the fight.”

A rematch between the pair is expected to take place some time next year.

Meanwhile, Carl Froch has received support from the unlikeliest sources after rivals Lucian Bute, Mikkel Kessler and Saturday’s conqueror Andre Ward all offered him lifelines following his crushing defeat by the American.

The Englishman was outclassed by unbeaten WBA champion Ward in Saturday’s Super Six final in Atlantic City, losing his WBC super-middleweight title in a unanimous decision defeat. Nottingham native Froch was visibly devastated by the result but will perhaps be cheered this week by words of support from unexpected allies.

IBF champion Bute is open to a fight with the Englishman if a unification bout with Ward cannot be made quickly and talks are believed to have already begun with Froch’s team.

Kessler, who beat Froch in a close thriller in Denmark last year before pulling out of the tournament with injury, would also be interested according to his promoter Kalle Sauerland.

And even Ward is open to a rematch with Froch, despite the decisive nature of his win.

Sauerland, who hopes Kessler takes the WBO title against Robert Stieglitz in April, said: “It’s funny because the final at the weekend was not really the end of the Super Six. There are so many questions left. Froch and Kessler is a fight we’ve got to see again. Wherever the venue is, it is the sort of fight that is made for fans. I think you could even do a part two and a part three with one in the UK and one in Denmark, wherever it makes sense and you’ll get a big crowd.”

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Ward fighting against Canada-based Romanian Bute would seem to be the logical next step but neither man likes to concede home advantage. Bute against 34-year-old Froch would sell huge numbers in Quebec or England, however. “I’m Carl’s best opportunity now,” said the unbeaten IBF champion. “He put in a good fight, with 115-113 by two judges, and he reached the Super Six final between the best super-middleweights. Right now I’m his biggest payday.”

Froch said: “I’d definitely take the fight with Bute, 100 per cent. It’s a fight I’d want.”

Ward himself said he would be “absolutely” open to a rematch with Froch.

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