• Amir Khan v Lamont Peterson

Khan blasts ref after controversial Peterson loss

ESPN staff
December 11, 2011
Amir Khan lost his titles to Lamont Peterson © Getty Images
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Amir Khan slammed referee Joe Cooper following his points loss to Lamont Peterson, saying "it was like I was against two people in there".

Khan surrendered his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in Washington after two of the judges gave the fight to Peterson 113-112. It would have been a different story for the Brit if Cooper had not decided to deduct him two points for pushing.

"It was like I was against two people in there," Khan said. "He [Peterson] kept trying to pick me up, he was wild, he was coming in with his head lower and lower every time. I had to push him away because he was trying to come in with his head. He was just so low. He was being effective in pressurising me but I was the cleaner fighter all night."

Khan was the overwhelming favourite going into the bout, and in the preceding days had been discussed as a future pound-for-pound king. He now faces the prospect of rebuilding his career - and he wants the first step to be another battle with Peterson, who won the titles in his native Washington DC.

"I am ready for a rematch," Khan said. "I am here and I will take it. I knew it would be tough against him in his home town and this is why boxing has not been in Washington DC for 20 years - because you get a decision like that. I thought he was going to headbutt me, that's why I pushed him."

Reports suggest Khan's team will query the referee's performance in the wake of his defeat.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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