• Amir Khan v Lamont Peterson

Peterson branded 'laughable' by Golden Boy chief

ESPN staff
May 10, 2012

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer has denounced Lamont Peterson and his failed drugs test as 'laughable', although the American has vowed to clear his name.

Amir Khan's rematch against Peterson - scheduled for May 19 - was cancelled on Thursday, after it became public that Peterson had failed a drugs test in the build-up to the fight.

Peterson could not go before the Nevada State Athletic Commission to present his case to have his licence restored for the fight until next week at the earliest, too late for the bout to go ahead as scheduled and so resulting in its cancellation.

Peterson's failed test, due to abnormal testosterone levels, led to a strong rebuke from Golden Boy's Schaefer - with his controversial victory over Khan late last year now also likely to be ruled a no-contest.

"I think it's laughable," Schaefer told Sky Sports News. "It's very sad that we have to cancel the event, but obviously Lamont Peterson is without a licence.

"This is very serious."

However, Peterson's publicist Andre Johnson insisted the Washington native will do everything to clear his name.

"Lamont Peterson has been boxing for 18 years. In 18 years, barring this incident, he's never tested positive for anything - and after this incident three other tests were taken that he tested negative for," Johnson said. "We're going to get to the bottom of this and do everything in our power to clear Lamont's name.

"We're extremely disappointed. We wanted to make this fight happen. We're sorry it didn't happen.

"Lamont is not a cheat. He is not a steroid abuser. There's no evidence of anabolic steroid abuse in his body or in his system. The doctor that saw him in Nevada determined he has low testosterone levels. There's no way a guy with his type of level can test positive for an anabolic steroid that is testosterone-based.

"Lamont did nothing wrong. He's not a doper. He's not a cheater. He's distraught."

Asked about the remaining chances of a Khan rematch, he added: "We would love to fight Amir Khan again. That's going to be up to Amir Khan.

"We don't have a problem. We would love to make it happen. That's why he accepted the opportunity to fight him this time - because the fans wanted it."

Khan is currently looking for a new opponent for a new date - he now hopes to fight for Peterson's vacated WBA and IBF belts on June 30.

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