The World Boxing Association has ordered an immediate rematch between junior welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan according to the Golden Boy promoter Richard Schaefer. Basketball odds

Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KOs) won a split decision against England’s Khan (26-2, 18 KOs) in controversial fashion to win the WBA and IBF 140-pound titles on Dec. 10. Khan, who was fighting in Peterson’s hometown of Washington, D.C, had two points took for pushing – a virtually unknown foul call – in the 7th and 12th rounds by Washington-area referee Joe Cooper. Had the points not been subtracted, Khan would have retained the belts on a unanimous call. Basketball spreads

“The World Boxing Association disposed a fast rematch. I am excited that he’s getting one and hope we can commence the talks and get the fight performed,” Schaefer related. “Amir and Lamont are both terrific younger guys and athletes who fought their hearts out in Washington in December and I am sure this decision will get approval by fight followers all over the world. The rematch will be one of the most eagerly awaited fights of 2012 because both guys are thrilling, young and I believe it’s precisely the sort of fight people re waiting for.”

Golden Boy had appealed the determination to both sanctioning organizations, saying that Cooper’s sanctions were uncalled for and that the scorecards were mishandled. Golden Boy states there were differences between the scorecards kept by the WBA supervisor and IBF supervisor, though the scorecard kept by the Washington commission is official and had Peterson winning. Golden Boy contends that the WBA supervisor’s master scorecard, which collects round by round scoring from each one of the three judges, had the fight draw.

There is also dispute over the so-called ringside “mystery man,” Mustafa Ameen, who is associated with the IBF and had a credential prepared by the IBF as a politeness, but was not at the fight in an official volume. However, he was seen on video at front row apparently touching the scoring slips, which is contrary the guidelines, and distracting a judge. He was
later seen in the ring apparently rejoicing with the Peterson team afterwards the fight.

“Since Khan keep on to concentrate on a man at ringside, I want to be very clear – Mustafa Ameen is in no way, nor has he ever been, affiliated or linked with anyone within Team Peterson,” said Barry Hunter, Peterson’s manager, trainer and father figure. “That adds me, Lamont and (brother) Anthony Peterson.”

The IBF is slated to maintain an audience on the fight the next week.

Even with the debate, the December bout was widely regarded one of the finest fights of 2011. Khan has campaigned hard for a rematch after the post-fight press conference.

“All I desire is an effective fair oppotunity and you know whether I had a fair chance on the last fight, I really would have won that fight, and it’s just one of the things,” Khan announced last month when talking about his attractiveness with reporters on a virtual meeting. “I mean I wasn’t treated correctly and even the admirers in D.C. said I clearly won the fight. I am not sure what the referee was monitoring.”

Despite the WBA order, Peterson is not bound to a rematch. He would leave the belt. He is also one of the number one applicants to land a June fight with welterweight titleholder Manny Pacquiao, one of boxing’ 2 largest stars. Peterson may gain weight if that fight is offered to him and gain much more money than he could make in a rematch with Khan.

“One thing you cannot do is force a fighter to take a fight,” Schaefer said. “People has to do what they feel is best for them. I respect that. In this weight class a rematch is the most important fight that may be made and it might be a shame if that doesn’t occur. I say that, yes, as a promoter, but also as a fight admirer. It would be an enormously anticipated fight.”