Washington, DC - Amir Khan blamed referee Joseph Cooper for his shock light-welterweight world title defeat to Lamont Peterson, insisting he was "against two people" in the ring.

Khan, who lost a split decision to home fighter Peterson by two scores of 113-112 against him at the George E Washington Convention Center, was deducted a point by Cooper in both the seventh and 12th rounds for pushing.

Khan unsurprisingly disputed the calls - which were decisive in the outcome of the bout - and insisted any pushing was prompted by Peterson's own foul play.

"It was like I was against two people in there," he said. "He kept trying to pick me up. He was wild. He was coming in with his head lower and lower every time.

"I had to push him away because he was trying to come in with his head. He was just so low. He was being effective in pressurising me but I was the cleaner fighter all night.

"I am ready for a rematch. I am here and I will take it. I knew it would be tough against him in his home town and this is why boxing has not been in Washington DC for 20 years - because you get a decision like that.

"I thought he was going to head-butt me and that is why I pushed him."