THE HEAVILY anticipated rematch between Britain’s Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson, scheduled for May 19, has been cancelled after the American tested positive for a banned substance, organisers said on Wednesday (May 9).

Peterson, who beat Khan in controversial circumstances to win the WBA super-lightweight and IBF light-welterweight belts in December, failed a drug test administered by the Las Vegas-based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association in March.

For the fight in Las Vegas to go ahead, Peterson needed to win a licensing appeal to the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

However, the ruling body was unable to hold a formal hearing until May 15, forcing the cancellation of the bout, Khan’s promoters, Golden Boy Promotions, said in a statement on Wednesday.

“A failed pre-fight drug test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), coupled with the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s legal inability to hold a formal hearing  until Tuesday, May 15, has forced the cancellation of the event,” Golden Boy Promotions said.

A disappointed Khan tweeted: “The fight is off! sorry everyone the only person to blame is @kingpete26 I’ll be looking for a opponent to fight June 30.”

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