• Amir Khan v Lamont Peterson

Peterson appeals WBA order for Khan rematch

Amir Khan wants a second fight with Lamont Peterson © Getty Images

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Lamont Peterson's camp have given perhaps the clearest indication yet that the American does not want to fight Amir Khan again, revealing on Wednesday that they have appealed the WBA's order for a rematch.

The WBA recently ruled in favour of Khan, establishing the Briton as Peterson's mandatory first light-welterweight title defence. The only way to avoid Khan would be if Peterson vacated his belt in order to pursue fights elsewhere.

Since that WBA order, Khan has withdrawn a similar appeal to the IBF, claiming he would not receive a fair hearing. The Peterson camp has since labelled that "a form of vindication".

Now it seems Peterson wants the WBA to completely take Khan out of the picture, saying in a statement that he is "confident that the WBA will overturn its decision mandating an immediate rematch and recognise Lamont Peterson as the true and final WBA light-welterweight world champion."

Reacting to the news, Khan's business manager Asif Vali remained confident the WBA would stick by its initial decision, which came after the Brit was controversially docked two points, and complained of interferences with the scorecards.

"We're surprised, but I'm confident that the WBA - who ordered the rematch - will stick by that and order Peterson to have the rematch," Vali told Sky Sports News.

"He's got a right to appeal, but as you've seen, the WBA ordered the rematch and now all we want to do is have that rematch. We've gone public with what we've offered Peterson's camp, but there's nothing coming back from them.

"All we want to do is get this fight."

Asked if Peterson was running scared, Vali stated: "I think so. Our camp has been very good with the Peterson camp over the past six weeks; we've given all the information to them and everything they've required.

"We've gone public with how much he would get [in the rematch]; if that doesn't entice him to sign on the dotted line, nothing will."

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