Boxing: Khan-Peterson rematch in doubt

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Boxing: Khan-Peterson rematch in doubt

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The American boxer tested positive for a banned substance on March 19.

08 May,2012 02:21 pm

Amir Khans rematch with Lamont Peterson thrown into doubt after American tests positive for banned substance.Amir Khans rematch with Lamont Peterson on May 19 is in danger of being called off after the American tested positive for a synthetic testosterone on March 19. The mystery is why the test has been kept quiet until now. Ironically, it was Peterson who had called for random drug testing of Khan prior to their double-belt world title contest in Washington DC on Dec 10.A rematch is scheduled for ten days time at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, the WBA having ordered a rematch after Peterson defeated Khan in controversial circumstances to win the WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles by split decision.Both fighters agreed to random drug tested for both blood and urine by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) ahead of the clash, reportedly gave a urine sample on March 19 which tested positive for synthetic testosterone.Both Peterson and his manager Barry Hunter were unavailable for comment in the early hours of this morning.However, Petersons publicist Andre Johnson later issued a statement in the United States to RingTV.com on behalf of the fighter and Hunter, which read: We have tremendous respect for VADA and its mission. Lamont, Barry and the entire team emphatically support random drug testing in the most comprehensive manner possible. We are working expeditiously with a team of pathologists and other medical specialists to confirm the origin of the test result and in full compliance with the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.Lamont has never had a positive test either before or after this isolated occurrence, and we plan to submit medical findings by close of business Tuesday reflecting the actual facts in support of Lamonts good faith intentions and the requirements of the commission.Asif Vali, Khans business manager, told Sky Sports News: Obviously last night it was a shock when I received the call to say Lamont had failed a drug test.However, the Peterson team seem to think that somethings gone wrong during the very first VADA drug test which Lamont took in March. Their explanation is that its something he took earlier on in the year - before the last fight.Asked whether the fight was on or off as things stood, he replied: The fights on. Obviously the Nevada commission will come back to us with their findings. Theyll look at things quite in depth before they make a final decision. That decisions due to come to us by the end of play on Tuesday.Vali added: Were 10 days away from the fight. We dont want to make any assumptions in any way, shape or form. The fight is still on at the moment. I know the fans will be disappointed. People waking up will be in shock. People have made plans to go there. We want to do everything possible to ensure the fights on.A blizzard of controversy followed after the first fight. Khan complained to the WBA, IBF and Washington DC commission after losing his light-welterweight titles to Peterson in the Americans hometown.The complaints from the Britons camp were severalfold: that Khan was penalised two points by referee Joe Cooper of pushing, an unusual deduction; and grievances from Khan that Cooper did not warn Peterson for leading with the head.Golden Boy Promotions later aired questions about judge George Hills scoring of the seventh round, which appeared to read 10-10 on the scorecard but was crossed out to read 10-8 in Petersons favor. Then there was the man in the hat, Mustafa Ameen, an affiliate of the IBF, who was not at the fight in an official capacity, but who was seen ringside handling the scoring slips and distracting a judge, both of which are against the rules.Khan is expected to speak to the British media over the situation on Tuesday evening.