The International Boxing Federation will hold talks with Lamont Peterson about his failed drugs test before deciding whether to strip him of their light-welterweight title and potentially return it to Amir Khan.
Khan yesterday called for the return of his WBA and IBF titles after claiming Peterson's test proved he was "a cheat". It had emerged earlier this week that the American, who controversially defeated Khan in December to claim the Englishman's belts, had tested positive for a banned steroid.
Their rematch, scheduled for May 19, has subsequently been cancelled, with Khan's American promoter Richard Schaefer calling on the boxing authorities to "do the right thing" and rule the first fight a no-contest.
The WBA have yet to comment officially while a spokesperson for the IBF stated that the body are reluctant to make a formal statement until hearing all of the evidence. "We are still waiting to receive all the information, as well as to speak with Lamont Peterson," he said.
Khan, not surprisingly, was far more effusive about what action he feels should be taken. "The Nevada Commission have taken the licence off Lamont Peterson and they don't want him to fight in the next fight," he said. "So I think whoever I fight next they'll put the titles on the line, or we still go through the process and we might get the titles back and the fight that we had last time will be a no-contest."
Khan was surprised to hear of the positive drugs test of his American opponent. He was not all that sympathetic about it, though. "The truth's come out now and it just proves that Lamont Peterson was a cheat really," he said.
"It hurt me more than anything because I really did want to go in there and put on a performance and show the world how good Amir Khan is. I'm already at the right weight and it was a tough, tough training camp.
"I was so fit and looking forward to this fight. I wanted this fight even when I heard he failed his drugs test. I did everything to get the fight on, but my parents and my team said to me 'look, at the end of the day Amir, it could be a risk to your life. It's not going to be fair to step into the ring with someone who is going to be on drugs and going to be cheating'. The next fight for me will be June, July. I've got a meeting with Golden Boy Promotions over the next few days and hopefully we'll set a date."
Peterson's camp remained strongly behind the 28-year-old, insisting that he is not a steroid abuser and vowing to clear his name. A statement from Team Peterson read: "Team Peterson is very disappointed and distraught by the decision to cancel the May 19 rematch against Amir Khan. This is an extremely difficult decision to accept.
"We have always taken the position of providing factual information rather than responding emotionally to rumours and innuendoes. We did everything that was asked of us in efforts to comply.
""Lamont did a battery of tests this week and saw a number of independent board-certified physicians. They all had the exact same conclusion as the doctor that initially treated and diagnosed Lamont's medical condition.
"It began as a confidential medical matter between a patient and his physician; unfortunately, it has now become a public issue in efforts to clear the name and reputation of this young man.
"We still stand behind the fact that he did nothing wrong and he was more than ready to go through with the May 19 fight. He is a man of tremendous character and will. His work ethic is second to none and in every sense of the word he is a true champion, in life, as well as in the ring."
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