It will be a shame if Lamont Peterson was aided by drugs when he beat Amir Khan, says Johnny Nelson.
Johnny reflects on the week's big boxing news
Amir Khan's hotly-anticipated rematch with Lamont Peterson is in jeopardy after the American pugilist tested positive for a banned substance.
Peterson pulled off a stunning victory over Khan in their initial bout in Washington, DC in December, winning on points to pluck the Briton's IBF and WBA light-welterweight titles.
The return contest is scheduled to take place on May 19 in Las Vegas, but the Nevada Commission will further examine their findings before deciding whether the clash will go ahead.
Peterson's camp reportedly told Khan's business manager, Asif Vali, that their man may have ingested the substance before the fighters locked horns late last year.
And former world cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson told
Sky Sports News that it will ruin "a great story" if Peterson beat Khan with drugs in his system.
Streets
"It's a shame because it was a great story for Lamont Peterson; a kid from the streets coming through the ranks to win a world title against all the odds," he said. "But now you're looking at his performance against Amir Khan and thinking: 'Wow'.
"Taking drugs doesn't make you a better fighter but it makes you stronger, more determined and helps you train better. Perhaps that's why he boxed so well and was able to withstand shots and put Khan under so much pressure.
"Floyd Mayweather has said for a long time that they should bring drug testing into boxing as that would sort the men out from the boys and this is one of those occasions.
"When you fight someone under the influence of drugs, they feel different; you're fighting round after round and this guy keeps coming at you, is putting you under pressure and not getting tired. You can't make the accusation, though, because if you're wrong you are liable.
"Amir has always said he felt cheated after the first fight and this has made him look like a true champion. He feels like his opponent MAY have had to cheat to take his titles away.
"If the fight doesn't take place, will they give him the titles or make someone else box for them? I think they will do the latter and if I was Amir I would feel more comfortable that way; winning them back officially rather than being given them.
"I feel sorry for the fans. Some people may have never been to Las Vegas in their life; they will have paid for flights, hotels and tickets and I think Golden Boy will have thought about trying to get a replacement, because it is a people's sport and some people could lose a lot of money."
Message
The
Ringside presenter also gave his take on the news that Dereck Chisora and David Haye will settle their differences between the ropes at Upton Park on July 14.
"Let's not kid ourselves, we'll probably watch it. But what message are we sending out to the youngsters coming through? Let's have a ruckus, get on the front and back pages, and get ourselves a massive fight?
"It's undermining the British Boxing Board of Control which was established in 1929 and is well respected all over the world. Over the last four years they have been involved in 200 shows a year. The Luxembourg organisation have not been involved in anywhere near that.
"Fighters will fight, however, so it's the guys putting them in the pit that you want to look at. No matter how many fancy words we try to put around it and insist that it's a grudge match, this is business and it is about money.
"This is a wrong message. A punishment is a punishment and the Luxembourg commission should Chisora's suspension and only do business when that is settled."
