Lamont Peterson will be stripped of belts

By Boxing News - 05/10/2012 - Comments

By John F. McKenna (McJack): Former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-2, 18 KO’s) is expected to receive back the title belts he lost to Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO’s) last December in a highly controversial match in Washington, D.C.

In an amazing turn of events this week Khan was first informed by his father that his May 19 opponent Lamont Peterson had failed two drug tests. The progression continued with new details related to the scandal breaking on an almost hourly basis.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) as expected banned Peterson from going ahead with the May 19 defense of his IBF/WBA titles at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas after he admitted to using performance enhancing drugs (PEDS).

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer who handles Khan was quoted in THE SUN saying the following:

“Given the facts this procedure was taking place in November – a month before his first fight with Peterson we are obviously going to ask the sanctioning organizations, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) to rule this fight a no contest and therefore give the belts back to Amir, where they belong.”

Schaefer added that he was in negotiations with HBO for a fight between Khan and an as yet unnamed opponent for either July 7 or July 14. The Golden Boy CEO added that he would sit down with Amir on Thursday to discuss possible opponents. Schaefer emphasized the importance of getting Khan back into the ring as soon as possible.

WBC light welterweight champion Danny Garcia (23-0, 14 KO’s) tops the list of potential opponents for Khan. Garcia won the WBC light welterweight title on March 24 with a unanimous decision victory over a badly faded Erik Morales.

The Peterson – Kan fight though entertaining, was marred by a great deal of controversy. Referee Joe Cooper in an unusual move, deducted two points from Khan for shoving. Then a mystery man later identified as Mustafa Armeen was spotted at ringside during the fight seemingly interfering with the WBA judging supervisor. Armeen added to the controversy when he said that he was merely making corrections to the scorecards. The mystery man was later seen on video celebrating with Peterson after his victory. The controversy only continued to build when it was revealed the Armeen was not affiliated with either the IBF or the WBA and had no business being at ringside.



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