Boxing: Amir Khan feels justice done as rematch confirmed

World Boxing Association vice president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza confirmed yesterday the WBA had granted the 25-year-old another shot at the American amid what Khan’s camp described as “a plethora of anomalies” in the original fight.

Khan lost both his WBA and IBF light welterweight titles in a split-decision defeat in Peterson’s home town of Washington DC on 10 December.

He said last night: “I’m pleased that justice has been done and the WBA has ordered an immediate rematch. 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.”

The Englishman has vociferously complained about a number of issues since the defeat and has lobbied both governing bodies – and the Washington DC commission – to change the result to a no-contest and/or force the two men to fight again.

And the WBA’s Mendoza said yesterday: “I can confirm we have ordered a direct rematch.”

In a joint statement from Golden Boy Promotions and Khan Promotions, the Bolton fighter’s camp set out the grounds for a rematch as they saw them. It read: “Peterson’s split-decision victory over Khan in Washington DC has been riddled with controversy as a result of a plethora of anomalies.

“Acting under its authority pursuant to WBA Rule C.26, the WBA concluded that the bout’s outcome was impacted by 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.

“As further cause to order the rematch, the WBA also pointed to Mr [Mustafa] Ameen’s apparent intrusion into the scoring process as well as possible discrepancies between the score sheets of the two sanctioning organisations and the local athletic commission.”

While the WBA have ordered the second fight, Peterson could still opt to relinquish that title rather than give Khan a second chance – particularly if the IBF, at a hearing on 18 January, allow him to keep their belt without fighting Khan again.