WBA will order a rematch, says Khan’s promoter

LONDON: Boxer Amir Khan’s promoter said on Saturday that the World Boxing Association (WBA) have informed him they will order a rematch with American Lamont Peterson following the British boxer’s controversial defeat in their world title fight in Washington last month.

Khan, who lost his WBA superlightweight and Internatonal Boxing Federation (IBF) light-welterweight crowns, had questioned the appearance of a mystery man at ringside, accusing him of “interfering” with the scorecards belonging to the judges.

“We have been informed today by the WBA that they will order a rematch,” Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer told Sky Sports News. He also said the unidentified man was an IBF official named Mustafa Ameen.

The WBA were not immediately available to comment but vice-president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza said on Friday there should be a rematch.

“You have to guarantee fairness, you have to guarantee that no one who isn’t directly involved can sit at the table,” said Mendoza.

Khan posted a number of messages on Twitter on Thursday and highlighted footage from the fight inwhich a man in a black hat can be seen next to WBA supervisor Michael Welsh.

The man appears to reach across in front of Welsh. The British boxer’s camp allege that it was at this point that he interfered with the scorecards.

“We received verbal confirmation of the rematch today and will get a written confirmation by Tuesday,” said Schaefer.

Khan’s camp had lodged an appeal against the result with a decision expected later this month. The IBF have declined to comment until after the Jan 18 appeal hearing. – Reuters