By Michael Cook
On Friday morning, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) cleared Lamont Peterson of any wrongdoing allowing him to retain his junior welterweight title.
In early May, two weeks before his scheduled rematch with Amir Khan, Peterson failed a random drug test due to high levels of testosterone. After testing positive, Peterson admitted to receiving testosterone injections prior to their first fight in December due to medical reasons.
In his own admission, Peterson made it aware that the synthetic testosterone was also in his system before their December fight, questioning his controversial split decision victory over Khan.
It was Peterson’s camp who demanded the Olympic Style drug testing leading up to the rematch with Khan. Scheduled for May 19th in Las Vegas, the fight was called off by the Nevada State Athletic Commission nine days before the scheduled date after Peterson tested positive for the banned substance.
After conducting their investigation with the help of an independent physician, the IBF issued the following statement:
“The physician was asked by the IBF to provide an opinion as to whether the levels of testosterone noted in the VADA report appeared to be consistent with the therapeutic use of the hormone, or for performance enhancing purposes. Additionally, the physician was asked to confer on whether these levels of testosterone would have enhanced Lamont Peterson’s training and performance during the bout on December 10, 2011, and for his training for the bout scheduled for May 19, 2012.
After concluding the review of all the documentation provided by Peterson’s camp and the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the physician determined that the testosterone levels noted in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) report are consistent with the therapeutic use of the hormone and not for the purpose of performance enhancement.
Therefore, these levels would not have enhanced Lamont Peterson’s training or performance during the bout on December 10, 2011, nor for his training for the bout that was scheduled for May 19, 2012, as a specimen collected by VADA on April 13, 2012 tested negative on May 2, 2012.”
While the IBF has ruled in favor of Peterson, the World Boxing Association (WBA) had previously stripped him of his belt in July reinstating Amir Khan as the title holder. Khan was upset two weeks later by Danny Garcia, who now holds the WBA belt.
The IBF has also notified Lamont Peterson(30-1-1, 15 KOs) he must face Zab Judah(42-7, 29 KOs) who is the mandatory challenger for the IBF junior welterweight belt after stopping Vernon Paris in an elimination fight in March.
Both camps have been told by the sanctioning body to negotiate as quickly as possible due to the fact that Peterson is mandated to make a title defense by Sept. 10th. At this time, it is unclear if Nevada, New Jersey or any other state commission will license Peterson to fight.
With the help of the IBF, GoldenBoy Promotions and Zab Judah’s new business partner, TMT Promotions, this writer believes that Peterson will be licensed and the fight will take place soon.
Follow Michael Cook on twitter @dom1120
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