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World Boxing Association reinstates Amir Khan as champion after controversial defeat to Lamont Peterson
Amir Khan has been reinstated as World Boxing Association light-welterweight champion by the governing body following his controversial loss to Lamont Peterson, according to his promoter.
Amir Khan's fight with World Boxing Council champion Danny Garcia will now be a unification contest Photo: AP
By Phil Barnett
11:44PM BST 11 Jul 2012
The Briton lost his WBA and International Boxing Feeration belts in a hotly disputed loss to Peterson in the Washington fighter’s hometown last December. Khan raised a number of grievances surrounding the result and was further vindicated when Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone before their scheduled May rematch.
Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer said on Wednesday night that the WBA had told him that Khan had been given his title back and would put it on the line in a unification bout with World Boxing Council champion Danny Garcia on Saturday.
“Justice has been done,” Khan said. “I’m glad the WBA are reinstating me as champion, it means I walk into this fight as world champion.
“There is a chance to win the WBC belt as well but not only that, the Ring magazine title will be on the line as well. It means this fight will really show who is the best fighter in the 140lb division.”
Both the WBA and IBF had taken their time considering what action to take. Schaefer claimed recently the WBA had decided to strip Peterson of the belt and put it on the line, but the WBA made no public statement.
However, Schaefer revealed they had gone a step further by not simply declaring the title vacant but, crucially, awarding it to Khan.
Peterson admitted to using the testosterone – apparently for medical reasons – before their controversial encounter, calling into question the validity of his win.
While the result has not been overturned and seems unlikely to be in the future, the WBA’s decision adds weight to Khan’s belief that the loss should be regarded as null and void.
World Boxing Association reinstates Amir Khan as champion after controversial defeat to Lamont Peterson - Telegraph