Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson: Rematch More Important Than Floyd Mayweather Bout

Strong as the pull may be for Lamont Peterson to come a-knockin' on Floyd Mayweather's door for a big-money bout, he'd do well (or even better) to first offer a shot at a rematch to Amir Khan.

Peterson and Khan came to blows in what may well have been the fight of the year, with the challenger claiming the champion's Junior Welterweight title by way of a split decision on the judges' scorecards. Peterson got a controversial assist from referee Joseph Cooper, who caught Khan with two point deductions for using his elbows and pushing off, one of which came in the 12th round.

That result left plenty of doubt in the hearts and minds of boxing fans everywhere, at home and at the Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Not to mention Khan, who wasn't shy in expressing his displeasure about the result:

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"It was like I was against him and the referee...I was shocked. There was no warning [of the 12th-round point deduction]...We all know who won the fight."

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That being said, it's not as though Khan dominated the bout, not by any stretch of the imagination. He was brilliant at times, landing his signature, lightning-quick punch combos with the sort of hand speed that would leave Zeus cowering jealously.

At other times, though, Khan appeared off-balance, with Peterson easily picking out when and where to strike back with some rather vicious blows, particularly when Khan seemed to tire from the action.

Both fighters, aggressive in their approaches, would be hard-pressed to hang with a fighter like Mayweather, whose speed and agility is bested only by his intelligence and defensive prowess in the ring. Good luck to Khan or Peterson landing much anything of consequence against Money May should they touch gloves with him.

Though, even that shouldn't be the first or most compelling reason Khan and Peterson decide to give fans a sequel. Golden Boy Promotions chief Oscar De La Hoya, who put this fight together and represents Mayweather, need only "read the tape" to see that Khan deserves a chance to reclaim his title, as does Peterson the opportunity to solidify his stake to it.

In the meantime, let Pretty Boy Floyd wait for Manny Pacquiao to grow a pair or, more importantly, take care of his lingering legal woes.

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