By James Slater: Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) and WBA light-welterweight king Amir Khan is still fuming over what he and his team think was an unfair points loss to big underdog Lamont Peterson. Last Saturday’s fight was a terrific action fight, but the thing that dominated the headlines was the controversy that was attached to the bout.
As fans know, Referee Joe Cooper took it upon himself to twice deduct points from Khan for pushing. If the second point had not been taken away as it was in the 12th and final round, Khan would have kept his belts. Khan, speaking with The Manchester Evening News, spoke of suspicious activity at ringside minutes before the decision was announced:
“One of the Golden Boy guys got the score sheets and it said ‘Khan, Khan, Peterson’ and the next thing it was ‘Peterson, Peterson, Khan.’” Khan said.
Curious indeed. It was said on air that the unofficial word going around at ringside was that Khan had got the verdict. But, of course, he never, he lost, and the world moves on. Khan now says he will use the loss as “a learning curve” and come back stronger. Despite the fact that Peterson’s manager/trainer/father figure Barry Hunter has said he will explore all options for his fighter’s first defence, Khan seems sure he will get an immediate return with the Washington D.C man:
“I’ll come back stronger,” Khan said. “Even Lamont was very shocked that he got the decision. I knew after the 12th round we had won the fight. But no excuses. People who were watching and who know what the fight was all about will know that I’ll come back stronger. That’s why I want the rematch straight away, just to prove to everyone.
“Beating him will be great. He is the one now who will have to suffer. I’m going to work hard now and change things I did in the ring.”
From purely a fan standpoint, an immediate return would be the best option (the date being bandied around is March 31st) – simply because fight-one was such a great, entertaining fight. Khan has already been listed as a 4/1 favourite to win a rematch with Peterson, but fans understand now (if they didn’t before) how very tough, strong and determined Peterson really is. I wonder, can Khan actually turn things around and get revenge?
Needless to say, if Khan were to lose for a third time, his career at elite level would be in serious jeopardy. Credit must go to Khan for craving a rematch and doing all he can to get one. The ball, however, is in Lamont Peterson’s court.