By John F. McKenna (McJack)
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has confirmed that they will hold an investigation into the circumstances around the controversial fight between former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-2, 18 KO’s) and new IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO’s).
Golden Boy Promotions filed the appeal on December 19. One of the areas of appeal was “miscalculation of scoring” after Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer complained about the irregularities in the manner in which the scorecards were collected and compiled.
The conduct of referee Joe Cooper was also suspicious according to Golden Boy. Cooper deducted two points from Khan during the bout for pushing, although according to Schaefer there is no provision in the commission rules for being penalized for shoving or pushing.
Peterson relieved Khan of his IBF and WBA belt in the match. The fight was held in Peterson’s home town of Washington, D.C. and Schaefer strongly alleges that there was some hometown cooking going on. There had been no major fights in D.C. for almost two decades. An angry Amir Khan stated after the decision that it would be difficult to arrange another fight in Washington, D.C. based on what had happened to him.
Sportinglife.com quoted the IBF statement which said:
“On the evening of December 19, the IBF/USBA received a request for a formal appeal procedure from Golden Boy Promotions for the bout between Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson.
“The grounds for such an appeal include miscalculation of the scoring, inappropriate conduct by officials which may affect the outcome of the bout and any alleged violations of the rules of the IBF/USBA that may have a detrimental affect on the complainant.”
The appeal will be reviewed on January 18 and 19 of 2012 after which a decision will be made as how to remedy the complaint.
Also in question is Schaefer’s allegation that the master scorecard disappeared immediately after the fight and a different version of it appeared two days later.
The two points that referee Joe Cooper deducted from Khan was the difference between victory and defeat. Golden Boy is hopeful that at the very least Peterson will be forced to honor his pledge made after the match to give Khan a rematch. Peterson’s manager has recently indicated that he will not be bullied into a rematch with Amir.
