LOS ANGELES (January 13, 2012) – After a sound and fair analysis of the facts contained in the appeal filed by Golden Boy Promotions on behalf of Amir Khan with respect to the outcome of the December 10, 2011 World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title fight between Khan and Lamont Peterson, the WBA has ordered that an immediate rematch take place within 180 days.
Washington DC’s Peterson’ split decision victory over England’s Khan in Washington DC has been riddled with controversy as a result of a plethora of anomalies in connection with the bout including referee Joseph Cooper not counting a knockdown of Peterson and deducting two points from Khan for pushing (something for which points are almost never deducted), both of which ended up having a direct impact on the outcome of the fight; the ringside appearance of an unauthorized individual in Mustafa Ameen who apparently handled official scoring slips, seemingly communicated with fight officials throughout the fight and appeared to be photographed posing with a celebrating Team Peterson in the ring following the fight; and possible differences between the score sheet of the WBA and those of the IBF and the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission.
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 knock down 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. Ameen’s apparent intrusion into the scoring process as well as possible discrepancies between the score sheets of the two sanctioning organizations and the local athletic commission. In its resolution mandating the rematch, the WBA went out of its way to note that under normal circumstances it would not disturb the discretionary function of a referee, however, in this case, because of the multiple irregularities, it was necessary for it to order the rematch.
“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,” said Khan. “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.”
“I am thrilled about the decision and hope that we can start negotiations and get the rematch done,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Both Amir and Lamont are terrific young men and athletes who fought their hearts out in Washington last December. I am sure that fight fans from around the world applaud the WBA’s decision since this will be one of the most anticipated fights of 2012.”
KHAN 1/5 TO GET PETERSON REMATCH – MAYWEATHER V PACQUIAO 1/ 2 TO TAKE PLACE
WILLIAM HILL have slashed their odds for a re-match between Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson from 4/6 to 1/5 after the WBA confirmed their intention of ordering the fight to be staged again. ‘But ordering a rematch does not guarantee that it wil happen warned Graham Sharpe ofWilliam Hill, ‘Peterson also holds another belt and could opt to dump the WBA belt, and if he did so, Khan could decide to fight to win that one back and wait for a later rematch maybe next year when the fight could be worth more’
Will 2012 rematch between Khan- Peterson take place? 1/5 yes; 10/3 no
Who will win 2012 rematch? 2/9 Khan; 3/1 Peterson; 25/1 draw
HILLS OFFER 1/2 THAT THE LONG AWAITED SHOWDOWN BETWEEN FLOYD MAYWEATHER AND MANNY PACQUIAO WILL HAPPEN IN 2012, 6/4 THAT IT WILL NOT. ‘There is a great opportunity to get it on in May – if they wait much longer one of them wil robably lose to someone else’ said Hill’s spokesman Graham Sharpe.
To win 2012 rematch: 8/15 Mayweather; 6/4 Pacquiao; 25/1 draw.
SERGIO MARTINEZ WRAPS UP NYC TRIP HEADS TO OXNARD TO BEGIN PREPARATION FOR MACKLIN
New York, NY – (1/13/2012) – Middleweight Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez wrapped up his NYC trip on Thursday and headed back to his training camp in Oxnard, California, to begin the preparations for his middleweight title defense against Ireland’s Matthew Macklin at Madison Square Garden, on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), live on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing”.
It was a busy few days for Martinez, the number three pound-for-pound fighter in the world. In addition to taking part in the initial press conference to announce his championship fight against Macklin, Martinez spent time at the offices of HBO, participating in a lengthy interview and photo shoot to help promote the upcoming event. Martinez also made time to meet with New York City Council Member Julissa Ferreras, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues, as well as representatives from anti-domestic violence organizations, such Forestdale, CONNECT, Violence Intervention Program, Seamen’s Society for Children and Families and inMotion.
It wasn’t all business for Martinez though, as he found time to attend a New York Knicks game with promoter Lou DiBella where Martinez met with a number of celebrities in attendance, including Spike Lee. Below are pictures from Martinez’ trip.
The card entitled, “THE REAL Middleweight Championship – Get Your Irish Up”, is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and will be shown live on HBO beginning 10PM ET/7PM PT. Tickets are priced at $505, $355, $205, $125 and $65, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased through the Madison Square Garden Box Office or through Ticketmaster, at ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800) 745-3000. Call DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577, or visit www.dbe1.com and @loudibella on Twitter for more information.