By James Slater: As fans have surely read by now, the WBA has just ordered an “immediate rematch” between former IBF and WBA 140-pound champ Amir Khan and current two belt king Lamont Peterson. Of course, this does not mean the fight will definitely happen – the IBF have not ordered a return and Peterson could always opt to give up his WBA strap anyway and pursue another fight.
In fact, this is just what Khan fears; as he explained to Sky Sports News a while ago:
“I think Lamont Peterson knows he will get beat again so he wants to give up the title and go and chase the money,” Khan said. “Does Manny Pacquiao really want to fight someone who he’s easily going to beat? Freddie Roach would really prefer me to fight Peterson again. I think he knows he lost the last fight, and he knows he’ll lose if we meet again. I know if we meet again it won’t go the distance, I’ll knock him out.”
Peterson IS still in the running to face Pac-Man next, seeing as the chances of Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather getting it on this May look slimmer by the day – and who could really blame Lamont if he took such a massive fight if it were offered to him? I’d bet Khan or any other young fighter would do just the same if he were in Peterson’s shoes.
Still, Khan is hopeful of a return fight and a chance at avenging his controversial, much talked-about Dec. 10th points defeat. But Khan has made it clear the fight must be on neutral ground this time.
“I have a ten-week training camp, so I envisage the rematch to be in April or May,” Khan said. “I’ll never go back to Washington again. I’ll fight him again somewhere neutral, Vegas maybe.”
Exacting revenge and re-claiming at least one of his belts seems the priority for Khan, 26-2(18) right now. However, the former Olympian has refused to give up on his long-term goal/dream: that of fighting Floyd Mayweather up at 147.
“This fight [with Peterson] has only put me back three months, so a Floyd Mayweather fight is definitely a possibility for the end of this year,” Khan said.
Anything is possible in boxing, but I can’t see a Mayweather-Khan fight happening in 2012. Mayweather will likely face a TBA on May 5th (Canelo Alvarez is a likely foe), while Pacquiao will face someone of his choosing in May or June (maybe Peterson) – Floyd will then serve his jail time beginning June 1st, with him being released in August or September. Will “Money” then go straight into a 10 or 12-week training camp of his own, so as to fight again in November or December? Maybe, but Bob Arum has spoken of November being “ideal” for Floyd and Manny to at last get it on.
Sorry, Amir, but if you fight Mayweather it will be in 2013 at the earliest. But can Khan get revenge over Peterson in the meantime anyway? Look for another tough, long fight when/if the two rival light-welters meet again.