• Amir Khan appeal

Mystery man celebrated with Peterson - Khan

ESPN staff
January 6, 2012

Amir Khan has demanded answers after he claimed the mystery man spotted sitting with the judges was later seen celebrating with Lamont Peterson.

Khan lost his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in controversial fashion last month, losing on a split points decision in Washington.

Khan has already appealed the decision, with the hearing set to be heard this month, but now the Brit has accused the unidentified man of interfering with the judges at ringside.

Khan claimed the figure distracted WBA supervisor Michael Welsh and was seen picking up a judge's slip, claiming it was "strictly against the rules". And now Khan has alleged that the same man was seen celebrating in Peterson's corner after the fight.

"I want to know who this person was because straight after the fight he was right into Peterson's corner and was celebrating with them," Khan told Sky Sports News.

"Mr Welsh moved this man with the black hat, told him to sit aside because he's got no accreditation and nobody knew who he was, but then he came back sat next to [Welsh] and he was messing around with all the papers and stuff, I don't know what those papers were.

"Whenever judges are sat there judging a fight, no one is allowed to interfere and I see there was a lot of interference going on outside the ring."

Khan admitted he was unaware of the man on the night, but was alerted to his presence on seeing replays of the bout.

"On the night I was focused on the fight. It was only when I got back home and got to see the video and there was so much commotion going outside the boxing ring I just couldn't believe it," Khan said.

"I have sent the complaint to the WBA and IBF hopefully within the next 24 hours they have said they will get back to me and tell me who the person was and we will go from there."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close