AMIR KHAN ? PETERSON REMATCH IN MAY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 11 Feb 2012
Amir Khan and WBA light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson get a chance to settle their controversy-riddled title fight with a rematch at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on May 19.
In their first, action-packed title fight where the titles of Khan including the IBF belt were at stake, Patterson won a hugely controversial split decision in a bout where controversy raged over the officiating, the hometown referee?s actions deducting two points from Khan for pushing and the presence of a mysterious man in a hat at ringside who was apparently accredited by the IBF but had no business interfering with the officials.
Khan who is trained by Freddie Roach with Alex Ariza as strength and conditioning coach had asked for a rematch but while the WBA directed Patterson to give the former Olympic silver medalist a rematch, Khan didn?t appear at a planned hearing by the IBF but an official announcement has indicated Lamont Peterson will defend both his WBA and IBF titles against Khan in a fight televised live on HBO?s World Championship Boxing.
Peterson who was even being considered as a possible opponent for pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao had felt insulted by Khan?s actions in protesting his victory. When the announcement on the rematch was made Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO?s) said ?I feel really good about my decision. I went over every option available to me in terms of the fights that were on the table. I weighed each one of them looking at the pros and the cons and at the end of the day this is the one that made the most sense all the way across the board. I want everyone to know that, as champion, it has always been up to me what fight to take next. I was not persuaded by any of the controversy or anything else. I just can?t wait to fight. I told Khan after the press conference when I won that if it was up to me I would fight him on Sunday, but I had to get with my team to look at every option that was out there.?
Peterson added ?I just want to be clear that I never said I wouldn?t fight him, but I wanted to take a look at everything that was out there before I made a decision. I?m happy with the terms of the fight. It?s at a neutral site and, when I beat him this time, he won?t have anything to complain about.?
For his part Khan (26-2, 18 KO?s) said he was ?delighted that I have finally been given the chance to avenge the result of my last fight. It?s clear I wasn?t happy with what went on in the previous fight, but that takes nothing away from how Lamont Peterson fought. He showed tremendous heart that night, but now I have the chance to prove once and for all that I?m the very best in the division. I?m going to take care of business inside the ring and this fight is going to be just as exciting as the last one. The only difference is going to be in the outcome.?
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer whose outfit handles Khan stated, ?I said before their first fight that this was an opportunity to see the two best super lightweights in the world compete at the highest level of the sport and neither Amir Khan or Lamont Peterson disappointed the fans. To see them fight again so soon after their first match on neutral ground in Las Vegas is a treat for boxing fans around the world.?
The manager and trainer of Peterson, Barry Hunter said ?We are pleased with the decision to fight Khan for the second time.I was extremely proud of Lamont with respect to this process. He took his time and looked at all of his options and he decided this was the best option available. Our preparation for this fight will be the same, it is going to be a hard fight and we will be ready for the challenge.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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