• Khan's team to formally question performance of Joe Cooper
• 'We look forward to an immediate rematch with Lamont'
• Lamont Peterson v Amir Khan – as it happened
Amir Khan's team have announced they will formally question the performance of the referee Joe Cooper as well as "certain ambiguities" in the judges' scoring after he lost his light-welterweight world titles to Lamont Peterson.
Khan lost his IBF and WBA belts to Peterson on a split decision but was unhappy about Cooper's decision to dock him two points in the bout – one each in the seventh and 12th round.
Those deductions cost Khan dear in the final analysis and a statement jointly issued by Team Khan and Golden Boy Promotions said they would taking their grievances to the formal channels.
It read: "Following the decision in the fight, Team Khan and Golden Boy Promotions intend to make inquiries with the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission, the IBF and the WBA regarding the performance of referee Joseph Cooper and will also be seeking clarification regarding certain ambiguities with respect to the scores of the fight."
It is unclear what response Khan's team are seeking from the local boxing authority, with a rematch already a virtual certainty.
That was always a likelihood in the event of defeat for Khan and was confirmed in the statement.
"We would like to congratulate Lamont Peterson on his performance against Amir Khan. Not only has he shown that he is a tremendous fighter inside the ring, but also a great man out of the ring," it continued. "We look forward to an immediate rematch with Lamont as confirmed by Lamont and his manager/trainer Barry Hunter."
Khan had earlier blamed Cooper for his shock loss, insisting he was "against two people" in the ring.
Khan unsurprisingly disputed the calls – which were decisive in the outcome of the bout – and insisted any pushing was prompted by Peterson's own foul play.
"It was like I was against two people in there," he said. "He kept trying to pick me up. He was wild. He was coming in with his head lower and lower every time.
"I had to push him away because he was trying to come in with his head. He was just so low. He was being effective in pressurising me but I was the cleaner fighter all night.
"I am ready for a rematch. I am here and I will take it. I knew it would be tough against him in his home town and this is why boxing has not been in Washington DC for 20 years – because you get a decision like that. I thought he was going to head butt me and that is why I pushed him."
Khan's father Shah was also eager to query the officiating of the bout. He told BBC Radio Five Live: "It was not the fight that cost him, it was the referee that cost him the fight.
"He's not angry at anyone but he's disappointed. He thought he'd get a fair crack at it in Washington, with home fans and home officials, but obviously he didn't. It's been 18 years since they had a big fight here [Washington] and maybe it will be 18 years again."
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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/dec/11/amir-khan-blames-referee-lamont-peterson
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