Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson: Title Fight Predictably Ends in Controversy

As the light welterweight title fight between Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson began to evolve into a brilliant matchup on Saturday, you couldn't help thinking that if it got to a decision, there would be plenty of controversy involved.

It didn't help that referee Joe Cooper took two points away from Khan for "pushing" during the fight, which is rarely called, especially in the final round of a title fight.

It also didn't help that Peterson had home advantage, inspiring questions whether Cooper had a predetermined preference in Washington D.C.

Peterson won via split-decision in a huge upset, knocking off the division's No. 1 boxer in Khan, who was defending his light welterweight title for the sixth time.

After the verdict, the nation exploded into turmoil, as arguments raged as to whether Peterson deserved the victory and if Cooper's maneuvers were legitimate.

Tweeted ESPN's Dan Rafael:

This is nothing new.

We saw it recently with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz, and especially with Manny Pacquiao and longtime rival Juan Manuel Marquez in their epic third matchup.

In the end, judges ultimately appeared to favor volume over power punches in Pacquiao vs. Marquez III and Khan vs. Peterson.

This brings up an entirely different issue.

Just because a boxer throws more punches and predictably lands more, that shouldn't mean they automatically win a fight.

Khan vs. Peterson was yet another fight that had the ability to lift boxing, but ended up inciting more questions than answers.