Team Khan lodges appeal...but offers Peterson a million for a rematch
Amir Khan has lodged an official appeal with the WBA and IBF concerning his December 10th loss against Lamont Peterson.
The now former double light-welterweight world champion has been told he'll hear the outcome by mid-January.
Khan's team, including Golden Boy Promotions, continue to be outraged by what they feel are examples of incompetence which directly led to their man losing his belts in Peterson's home city of Washington DC. Their ire is particularly focused on the performance of referee Joe Cooper, who deducted Khan's two points for repeated pushing which, had they not been docked, would have changed the result. It's understood that the appeal also concerns some perceived scorecard anomalies.
"We have filed an official appeal which will trigger a thorough investigation from the IBF and WBA," said GBP's Richard Schaefer (pictured, right, with Khan and Oscar de la Hoya) during a conference call this evening. "I've been given an update by the IBF and WBA. They both want the appeal in New York on January 18 and 19.
"They will make their decision on whether the outcome should be overturned, should stand or if there needs to be a rematch. There is clear outrage against the officiating and something needs to be done."
Schaefer made reference to the IBF's scorecard going missing before mysteriously appearing 48 hours later.
"There is clearly some smoke in relation to the scorecards. Where there's smoke, there's fire," said Schaefer.
BoxRec News published an image of the completed scorecards only a few hours after the fight's completion but we now understand that this was a photocopy distributed to the press (unsigned by an Inspector) and not an image of the master scorecard.
"There is nothing in the rules related to pushing. Even excessive pushing isn't a foul," claimed Schaefer.
"There was clearly no basis for a one-point deduction, and certainly not for a two-point deduction.
"The fact is this is one of the worst cases of home cooking I have seen.
"Peterson was warned throughout the fight about using his head, but Cooper never deducted a point from him.
"The inconsistency is absolutely shocking and if this isn't home cooking, I don't know what is.
"This decision must be corrected. I hope it will be corrected.
"The WBA and IBF have an opportunity and obligation to do the right thing."
If GBP can't get the result overturned, Schaefer already has laid the ground for a rematch.
"We've been able to secure the Staples Centre in LA on May 19 - neutral ground for both fighters," he said. "We've made Team Peterson a seven-figure offer and are waiting to hear back from them. I'd be shocked if they don't offer a rematch."
