Amir Khan’s proposed rematch with WBA light-welterweight champion Lamont Peterson has been thrown into doubt, after the current title-holder lodged an appeal against the WBA’s decision to sanction another fight between the pair.
Last week, the governing body insisted that the fight was won under such controversial circumstances – particularly given the conduct of “mystery man” Mustafa Ameen – on December 10 to justify a rematch.
However, Khan’s camp withdrew their initial appeal to the IBF after suggesting that “only partial representation of fight officials who were involved” in the fight would be present at the hearing. Peterson’s camp have suggested the withdrawal came when Khan realised his case would not stand up.
Peterson’s camp decided to appeal the ordering of a rematch, insisting today that they “are confident the WBA will overturn its decision.”
Khan has questioned why Peterson has lodged an appeal, responding via Twitter; "Now I've heard Peterson is appealing against the WBA ruling a rematch. He said he was going to give me a rematch after the fight so why go against it?"
Peterson’s camp have claimed that they are appealing the decision to make sure the WBA “recognise Lamont Peterson as the true and final WBA light-welterweight world champion.”
The controversy has emerged from the conduct of “mystery man” Mustafa Ameen, who was accused of interfering with judges scorecards, amounting to “multiple irregularities”. Ameen, however, has claimed that he was simply correcting errors made by WBA supervisor Michael Welsh.
"I noticed one error and a subsequent error. I assisted him in correcting it without touching anything," he said.
"I happened to look down, I believe at the end of the third round, I looked down and I saw Mr Welsh's score.
“I saw, I believe, it could have been nine, nine and nine - which is 27 all day long. There was an error. It might have been 26 or 28 but he was off by a point or two. I happened to look down and I said 'Michael, nine times three is 27'. He said 'oh my God' and corrected himself.
"And he said 'I'm not feeling well this evening, thank you very much'."
