:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4970908/135481527.jpg)
The WBA, one of the two sanctioning bodies with belts on the line in the controversial Amir Khan vs Lamont Peterson on December 10, has officially ordered an immediate rematch as expected, reports Lem Satterfield of The RING.
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes Khan, is hoping that the IBF will follow suit when they meet about the matter on January 18.
"The WBA and the IBF are two different sanctioning organizations," said Schaefer. "But I hope that the IBF is coming to realize that the proper thing and the right thing to do is to order an immediate rematch. But that's not going to be my decision, that's going to be the IBF's decision."
Schaefer also says he's hoping to sit down with Team Peterson "in a respectful manner" (he uses this phrase three times over a few sentences) and get a deal for a rematch done, but does not say that the previously-reported $1 million offer for a rematch still stands. (What a surprise.)
[ Related: Team Peterson Official Statement ]
Khan (26-2, 18 KO) and Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO) probably should fight a rematch. It's not because of the "Mystery Man," and not because poor Amir Khan was victim to a referee who enforced rules (yes, rules, real rules), and not because he was "robbed."
They should rematch simply because it was a really good fight and was extremely close, and it's a lucrative bout for both of them that most likely, they cannot equal elsewhere. When you take away all the whining, all the begging, all the crying, and all the bullshit about who did what, it was just a really good fight that deserves a rematch.
As for the WBA ordering the rematch, it's...well, look, like I said, I like the idea of a rematch fine. But the WBA let Amir Khan avoid Marcos Maidana, who had been in line for a rematch for a year, because Khan didn't want to fight him again. So it's typical favoritism, really. What are you gonna do?
The WBA ordering this fight does not mean it will happen. Peterson can simply give up their belt and keep the IBF title if the IBF does not order a rematch on January 18, and really he can choose to get rid of both belts if he really doesn't feel like he should fight Khan again, or if he just doesn't want to (which some would call a duck).