WBA Orders Peterson / Amir Khan II

(January 12th) After an extensive review prompted by a Golden Boy Promotion appeal the the WBA has ordered an immediate rematch between jr. welterweight champion Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan.

On December 10th fighting in his hometown Washington, D.C. Peterson, 30-1-1, 15Ko's won a closely contested controversial split decision over UK's Amir Khan, 26-2, 18Ko's.

The controversy came in when Khan had two points deducted for pushing by Virginia referee Joe Cooper.

Golden Boy claimed referee Cooper's point deductions were unwarranted and the official scorecards were mishandled and alleging there were discrepancies between the scorecards.

Golden Boy alleged the WBA supervisor's round by round master scorecard had the fight a draw. Adding to the controversy is the "mystery man" later identified as Mustafa Ameen later witnessed celebrating the Peterson victory had handled the scorecards a clear violation to the rules.

Mysteriously with no rematch clause Golden Boy immediately offered Peterson a one million dollar rematch almost doubling the initial purse but was declined by Team Peterson.

The first fight action packed despite the controversy should set the stage for a sure grudge match if Peterson not obligated to a rematch doesn't vacate the title in lieu of a bigger payday against Manny Pacquiao of Floyd Mayweather Jr. The fight also for Khan's IBF belt has not announced a decision but is scheduled to hold a hearing on the fight next week.