Las Vegas re-match on for Khan and Peterson
AMIR Khan only has one thing on his mind when he returns to the ring to face American Lamont Peterson – he wants his titles back.
The duo will come face to face for second time after a re-match was confirmed for May 19 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The chance to retain his titles is the least Khan had wanted after he lost to Peterson amid controversy in December.
And now he’s adamant he’ll take care of business under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
“I’m delighted that I have finally been given the chance to avenge the result of my last fight,” said Khan.
“It’s clear I wasn’t happy with what went on in the previous fight, but that takes nothing away from how Lamont Peterson fought. He showed tremendous heart that night, but now I have the chance to prove once and for all that I’m the very best in the division. I’m going to take care of business inside the ring and this fight is going to be just as exciting as the last one. The only difference is going to be in the outcome.”
The two fighters went toe to toe for 12 rounds in Washington in December.
When it was over, controversy raged over the officiating and the final judges’ verdict, but in the end Peterson won a split decision capturing Khan’s world championship belts.
Champion Peterson refuted suggestions he had refused a re-match, saying he was waiting for the right deal.
“I feel really good about my decision,” said Peterson. “I went over every option available to me in terms of the fights that were on the table. I weighed each one of them looking at the pros and the cons and at the end of the day this is the one that made the most sense all the way across the board.
“I just want to be clear that I never said I wouldn’t fight him, but I wanted to take a look at everything that was out there before I made a decision. I’m happy with the terms of the fight. It’s at a neutral site and, when I beat him this time, he won’t have anything to complain about.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions added: “I said before their first fight that this was an opportunity to see the two best super lightweights in the world compete at the highest level of the sport and neither Amir Khan or Lamont Peterson disappointed the fans.
“To see them fight again so soon after their first match on neutral ground in Las Vegas is a treat for boxing fans around the world.”
