May date for Khan-Peterson rematch

Amir Khan

Published: 10:53pm, 9th February 2012
Updated: 1:15pm, 10th February 2012

Lamont Peterson has agreed to a rematch with Amir Khan in Las Vegas in May, the Bolton fighter's camp have said.

Khan, 25, will fight the American for a second time on May 19 at the the Mandalay Bay Hotel, his spokesman confirmed to Press Association Sport on Thursday night.

The WBA last month ordered a rematch after Peterson defeated Khan in controversial circumstances to win the WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles on December 10.

Khan announced the bout on Twitter, saying: "Big announcement. KHAN. Vs PETERSON May 19th, Mandalay Bay Hotel Vegas. At last I git the fight I deserve, Big ..."

The 25-year-old complained to both the WBA, IBF and Washington DC commission after losing his light-welterweight titles to Peterson in the American's hometown. He highlighted several grievances, chiefly referee Joseph Cooper's deduction of two points, the judges' scoring of the bout and the unexplained presence of 'mystery man' Mustafa Ameen at ringside.

Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer revealed he had already sought guarantees over the security at ringside this time

He told Sky Sport News: "We have a deal, we are all set. This is going to be a big, and I mean a very big fight. The first fight was a terrific fight, an all-action fight, a lot of controversy, a lot of questions surrounding it so this one here is hopefully going to clear up all these question marks."

He added: "I've already had conversations with the Las Vegas commision to make sure that it is going to be absolutely neutral ground for both fighters. We won't see any men in hats sitting at the scorers' table."

Schaefer paid tribute to Khan's determination to get the fight on and confirmed the purse split would be equal. He added on Sky Sports News: "Amir very early on established that he would be happy to split all worldwide revenues 50/50, obviously a clear indication of how much Amir really wanted the fight.

"I have to hand it to Amir, he really wants to go and will set the record straight on May 19 at the Mandalay Bay. He really wanted the fight, he pushed for it, he called me every day. I'm happy to see now his campaign to get that rematch paid off and we do have a fight."