Boxing: Amir plans inquiry after shock loss

Boxer questions verdict as Peterson offers rematch.

WASHINGTON: Amir Khan’s camp has announced that the British boxer plans an inquiry with sanctioners over the performance of referee Joe Cooper and the ringside judges after his controversial defeat to Lamont Peterson.

Khan said after his majority decision loss that he felt robbed. Referee Joe Cooper deducted points from Khan for pushing in the seventh and 12th rounds.

Team Khan and Golden Boy Promotions issued a statement in which they outlined plans to challenge the verdict.

“We intend to make inquiries with the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission, the IBF and the WBA regarding the performance of the referee and will also be seeking clarification regarding ambiguities with respect to the scores of the fight,” said the promoters.

The result took longer than normal to announce after the final round and when it was finally uttered, the score from the judge who favoured Khan was not that which appeared on his scorecard.

Meanwhile, Khan appears to be on the verge of agreeing to a rematch after his manager Asif Vali said he had received an offer from his opposite number.

“Barry Hunter [Peterson’s manager] offered me a rematch after the fight,” Vali told The Times. “He said, ‘It was a great fight, let’s do it again.’ I’m sure he’ll stick to his word. We’ll do it as Amir’s next fight straightaway.”

Unconfirmed reports have given March 31 as the date of the rematch.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2011.