Khan vs. Peterson Results: Peterson Should Not Accept Controversial Victory

Another big-time boxing match, another controversial finish that should get the athletic commissions looking long and hard into their referees and point system. Lamont Peterson was awarded a split decision victory thanks to two weak penalties that cost Amir Khan two points and, ultimately, his titles. 

The two "infractions" were so insignificant that a good referee would have shrugged them off like a piece of lint on his shirt, but on this night, for whatever reason, Joseph Cooper thought that it would be a good idea to make himself a part of the story. 

Khan did his best to give credit to Peterson, and he does deserve credit for hanging in this fight after being knocked down twice in the first round, but it is hard to overlook the fact that Khan deserved better than he got on Saturday night. 

Khan said after the fight that he was basically fighting two people and he wanted an immediate rematch. He even took shots at the sport of boxing. 

From the UK Telegraph: 

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"I was up against two people in there. He was coming in with his head lower and lower and I was trying to stay away from his head. He was being effective at pressuring. I was the cleaner fighter all night. I'm ready for a rematch, and I'll take it. This is why boxing hasn't been here for 20 years, because you get a decision like this."

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Peterson is going to take the decision because he had nothing to do with the referee, but he should be embarrassed and ashamed to call himself a champion. 

Looking at the judges' scorecards, Khan would have gotten the decision if not for the point deductions. He would have retained his titles and possibly set up the match with Floyd Mayweather that he has been clamoring for. 

Boxing needs to look long and hard into Cooper's actions, and Peterson has to do the right thing and give Khan an immediate rematch because everyone has a right to find out who the better boxer really is.

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