Khan to carry WBA Champion title in rematch against Peterson.
After months of controversy, boxer Amir Khan had been named by the WBA as their super world champion at light welterweight.
The 25-year-old lost that title in December during his fight against American Lamont Peterson inWashington, but has been arguing against the results since.
A rematch between the two have been agreed and the WBA have decided to give the belt to Khan, which he will carry to the ring against Peterson at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas on 19th May.
The new light welterweight was given the title in front of an audience at the recent WBA convention inMexicoand was also awarded a prestigious ‘super champions’ ring.
Speaking about the news Khan told reporters, “I’m delighted. This is great news and a real boost for me coming into the return.”
Khan tweeted the news to his followers, writing, “Great news WBA still have me as WBA Super Champion! I will be putting that title on the line on May 19th against Peterson.”
He also spread the news on his webpage, which wrote, “I’ve just been relaxing and doing other work away from the ring since my fight last December with Lamont Peterson.
As you all know the rematch has been agreed but something you might not know is that I will be going into the ring as the WBA ‘Super’ Champion. I’m really looking forward to putting my WBA ‘super’ title on the line against Peterson, who will enter the ring as the IBF world champion.”
Many critics inAmericahave criticised the decision, questioning how a loser can be named as champion.
But WBA vice president Gilberto Mendoza claimed that the news about Khan regaining his title were untrue.
In a ‘retweet’ to ESPN, the wrote that the organisation still had Lamont Peterson as its super champion.
Peterson remains champion of the IBF, whose ‘Mystery Man’ played a key part in Khan’s campaign for his reported interference with the scoring.
Peterson defeated Khan on 10th December by a split decision, with 2 points in rounds 7 and 12 taken away from the Brit’s final score by referee Joe Cooper for pushing and shoving.
Since the loss, Khan and his promotional partners have tried to either reverse the decision or get a rematch.
The dispute also involved ‘Mystery Man’ Mustafa Ameen, who was seen at the ringside next to the point scorer, sparking suspicions of interference.
Khan filed a protest with the WBA and IBA. The WBA ordered a rematch, while Khan withdrew the petition in IBA.
