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.”
