Khan rematch talks 'one-sided'

Business manager admits Peterson has not responded to offer

Amir Khan business manager has admitted attempts to lure Lamont Peterson into a rematch are currently falling on deaf ears.

Khan, who lost his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in controversial circumstances to Peterson on December 10, withdrew his appeal to the latter governing body on the eve of Wednesday's proposed hearing.

The WBA have ordered a rematch between the pair but Peterson may choose to relinquish that belt and defend the IBF strap elsewhere.

And with plenty of quality opposition around in the light-welterweight division it seems the Peterson team is unimpressed with the approach from Team Khan, who have guaranteed the American 50 percent of worldwide revenues.

Public offer

"We're absolutely delighted with the WBA decision and obviously it's down to Peterson to make the rematch now," said Asif Vali.
"We've given the offer through the media, so they can't say there was no offer from the Khans. We gave the 50-50 offer and we can't be any fairer than to make public the offer we've given.

"We were supposed to have had a phone call from them this morning but there has been nothing as yet.

"If Peterson chooses to ignore the WBA and says 'I just want to fight for the IBF belt' then that's his choice. We've been fair in giving opportunities to the Peterson camp and we've been very humble, very fair in making the offers for a rematch, and unfortunately everything has been one-sided from us.

"We're the ones who have been doing all the negotiations and we're getting nothing back from the Peterson camp. So what we've done now is put the ball fully in their court.

"It's up to the Peterson camp now whether they take it. If not, we have our own plans now with Amir."

No-show

Vali added that Peterson's trainer and manager Barry Hunter failed to show at a pre-hearing meeting on Tuesday involving them, their American promoters Golden Boy and television paymasters HBO.

"Everything was on when we landed in New York with Amir and his father Shah last night," he continued.

"When Barry Hunter failed to show up to a meeting with us and HBO we felt 'is there any point in going to the IBF hearing?'

"Obviously we wanted to put our arguments over but then (referee) Joe Cooper was not going to be there and neither was Michael Welsh of the WBA.

"All our arguments and everything we put forward were going to be based on those two giving answers and if they weren't going to be there, then was there any point in attending this IBF hearing?

"It was going to be a one-way court system and we decided it wasn't the right thing to do and said 'okay, fine'."




Last Updated: January 18, 2012 6:27pm
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