The IBF have insisted that Mustafa Ameen was not at ringside in any official capacity for the organization in Washington last month.
Organization says 'mystery man' should not have been ringside
The IBF have insisted that Mustafa Ameen was not at ringside in any official capacity for the organization in Washington last month.
The 'mystery man' in the saga surrounding Amir Khan's contested defeat to Lamont Peterson had been identified as an 'IBF official' by Khan's promoter Richard Schaefer.
Thus, his interaction with WBA supervisor Michael Welsh and alleged handling of the scorecards has become a bone of contention with Team Khan, who want the decision to be changed to 'no contest'.
But while Ameen says he will reveal all at the official hearing into the muddled scenes during and after the fight on January 18, the IBF have said that while he has represented them in an unpaid capacity before, he had no right to be ringside.
"Mr Mustafa Ameen does outreach work for the IBF's SARB/Education Fund," read a statement issued by the organisation's publicist Jeannette Salazar.
"This fund was initially created to financially assist retired professional boxers experiencing monetary difficulties.
"Shortly over a year ago, IBF President Daryl Peoples and Mr Ameen agreed that he would network on behalf of the organization with the purpose of connecting with these fighters in order for the IBF to provide them with some financial assistance.
"Mr Ameen's role with the organization is limited to just this. He is not an employee or an official of the organization, nor does he receive any monetary compensation from the organization for his efforts.
"Previous to the Khan-Peterson bout, the IBF made a request for the Washington, D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission to extend Mr Ameen the courtesy of a credential to enter the arena.
"Mr Ameen was not assigned by the IBF to officiate this bout. Despite all that has transpired, at this point the IBF has not changed its stance and plans on moving forth with the hearing as scheduled on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.
"Mr Ameen will be present at the hearing to explain his actions and what transpired during the bout between him and Mr Welsh, the WBA supervisor."
