By Edward Chaykovsky
Former champion Amir Khan is shocked with the IBF's decision to allow Lamont Peterson to keep his junior welterweight title. Peterson won the IBF/WBA belts with a controversial split decision over Amir Khan on December 10. A rematch was set for May 19th in Las Vegas, but two weeks before the bout was going to happen Petterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone. Both boxers agreed to take part in a random drug testing protocol, which the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) conducted.
Peterson advised the IBF that he received a testosterone implant, due to a medical condition, prior to their first December meeting, which raised some eyebrows and caused Khan's team to file petitions to force the WBA and IBF to strip Peterson. The WBA resinstated Khan as their "super champion" at 140-pounds, but the IBF has ruled in Peterson's favor.
Peterson must now face mandatory challenger Zab Judah.
"I read somewhere, [the] IBF gave Peterson the title and heard he is fighting Judah next. Wow, so it must be Ok to take drugs in boxing and still box. Peterson was caught juiced up so WBA reinstated the title back. [The] IBF I've heard have Peterson still [as their] champ and no ban. What's point of drug tests? I'm not bitter one bit about what the IBF have done. It's just unfair in sports. Getting caught taking drugs....he can keep the title and the W," Khan stated.
