Boxing:Lamont Peterson has lodged "a comprehensive written appeal" against the WBA's decision to order a rematch against Amir Khan.
The governing body last week confirmed they wanted Peterson to defend their light-welterweight title against Khan after he defeated the Englishman in controversial circumstances in his native Washington on December 10th.
But Peterson, who will keep the IBF title regardless after Khan withdrew his appeal to that governing body, is ready to fight that judgement.
A statement from Team Peterson said: “Although rumours have surfaced that we are now in negotiations for a Peterson vs Khan 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 recognise Lamont Peterson as the true and final WBA jr (light) welterweight world champion.”
Peterson’s team contend Khan withdrew his appeal to the IBF because his case was not sound, although Khan’s team understandably claim the absence of referee Joe Cooper and WBA supervisor Michael Welsh were the key reasons behind their lack of faith in the hearing.
Peterson’s trainer, manager and mentor Barry Hunter said: “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.
“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.
“We have an open mind and look forward to Lamont’s first title defence. We will discuss internally and asses every viable opportunity available. We will then make the best decision possible for the future of Lamont and his family.”
Peterson himself said: “Now that this is over I am ready to move on. As I said before, as champion I plan on representing both sanctioning bodies to the best of ability and that means fighting the best fighters in the world in defending my titles.”
Whether or not Peterson’s appeal to the WBA succeeds, the American knows he has the IBF version of the world title regardless. That means he could choose to ignore the WBA’s orders and give up their belt, while still having another title to defend.
Khan last night withdrew his appeal to the IBF on the eve of their scheduled hearing today.
Khan’s business manager, Asif Vali, also revealed tonight Peterson’s manager Hunter failed to turn up to a meeting yesterday involving them, their American promoters Golden Boy and television paymasters HBO.
Vali said: “Everything was on when we landed in New York with Amir and his father Shah last night.
“When Barry Hunter failed to show up to a meeting with us and HBO we felt ‘is there any point in going to the IBF hearing?’
“When we got here we learned that Joe Cooper and Michael Welsh were not going to be there. All our arguments and everything we put forward were going to be based on those two giving answers and if they weren’t going to be there, then was there any point in attending this IBF hearing?”
After pulling out of the hearing at the 11th hour, Golden Boy released a statement outlining their latest offer to new champion Peterson, which guaranteed a 50-50 split of “worldwide revenues” including British television cash.
The deal in question is thought to be worth more than $1million (€780,000) to Peterson, but the American seems reluctant to grant Khan a shot at redemption, however tempting the offer.
Vali admits their attempts to negotiate are falling on deaf ears at the moment.
“We’ve given the offer through the media, so they can’t say there was no offer from the Khans,” he said. “We gave the 50-50 offer and we can’t be any fairer than to make public the offer we’ve given.
“We were supposed to have had a phone call from them this morning but there has been nothing as yet.
“We’re the ones who have been doing all the negotiations and we’re getting nothing back from the Peterson camp. So what we’ve done now is put the ball fully in their court.
“It’s up to the Peterson camp now whether they take it. If not, we have our own plans now with Amir.”
Khan had complained to both the WBA, IBF and Washington DC commission after losing his light-welterweight titles to Peterson in the American’s hometown.
He highlighted several grievances, chiefly referee Cooper’s deduction of two points, the judges’ scoring of the bout and the unexplained presence of ‘mystery man’ Mustafa Ameen at ringside.
Ameen had been due to speak at today’s IBF hearing in New Jersey but, after the late cancellation, has finally broken his silence and explained his involvement.
Ameen, who denies any wrongdoing, admits he did get involved with WBA supervisor Welsh.
“I noticed one error and a subsequent error. I assisted him in correcting it without touching anything,” he said.