IBF reject Khan appeal

The International Boxing Federation have rejected Amir Khan's appeal against his controversial defeat to Lamont Peterson.

Peterson keen on rematch with British fighter

The International Boxing Federation have rejected Amir Khan's appeal against his controversial defeat to Lamont Peterson. Khan suffered two point deductions from referee Joe Cooper in Washington which ultimately cost him the fight and his IBF and WBA light-welterweight titles. But the IBF have ruled that Cooper's deductions did not affect the outcome and he was within his rights to make the calls. "We found no discrepancies that would affect the outcome or the result of the fight," IBF championships chairman Lindsay Tucker said. "We decided not to order an immediate rematch on the basis of the fact that in the rules, if the referee feels that it's a foul, then that's his call to take a point. He did warn Khan several times before he actually took the first point." Peterson, on hearing the IBF's verdict, said: "I look forward to doing everything in my power inside and outside of the ring to represent the IBF and WBA as the new champion." A rematch looks likely and Peterson told Sky Sports his message to Khan was: "Let it go. He lost the fight, he might get a rematch and he'll get a chance to prove himself. I definitely want a rematch."