Khan and Golden Boy make bizarre move by withdrawing protest on the eve of the IBF HearingWashington, DC-In a stunning announcement yesterday evening Amir Khan, through his promoter Golden Boy Promotions, withdrew his protest with the IBF ending his efforts to force an immediate rematch against World Champion, Lamont Peterson. The Peterson team aggressively responded with sound and factual supporting documentationto each of the various accusations which Khan used to dispute his loss of the World Championship to Peterson. This also included an unfounded allegation that a “mystery man” at ringside affected the outcome of the bout.
Other allegations by Khan were against the referee’s actions during the bout and the calculation of the scorecards by the judges as part of the reason he was declared the loser of the bout. Khan and Golden Boy vigorously used the media in efforts to further advance their argument, while Team Peterson responded with the facts and remained firm that they would not permit these tactics to detract from the Jr. Welterweight World Championship Lamont earned in the ring.
“We are extremely pleased that Golden Boy and Amir Khan withdrew their protest with the IBF. As we have said all along, we were not going to be forced to make a decision by one person or entity and we will continue to do what is in the best interest of Lamont Peterson,” said Barry Hunter the Manager and Trainer of Lamont Peterson.
“The Peterson team continuously responded to each of Khan’s accusations and the absurdity of the claims. Our reply addressed the rules and also Khan’s inability to make adjustments and his performance in the ring, as opposed to placing blame on almost everyone associated with the bout,” added Hunter.
Team Peterson feels this development serves as a form of vindication as it relates to the ruling of the IBF that Lamont is the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion of the World. Furthermore, this ruling essentially turns back the clock to December 11th and provides a number of options for Lamont to explore as he continues his professional boxing career.
Although rumors have surfaced that we are now in negotiations for a Peterson vs. Kahn rematch in Washington DC, at this time there are no open negotiations for this bout. The Peterson team’s focus is on the WBA’s decision mandating an immediate rematch. A comprehensive written appeal has been submitted to the WBA and we are confident that the WBA will overturn its decision mandating an immediate rematch and recognize Lamont Peterson as the true and final WBA Jr. Welterweight World Champion.