Boxer Khan alleges mystery figure ‘handled scorecards’

Bolton boxer Amir Khan lost his WBA and IBF light welterweight titles on a split decision to hometown fighter Peterson in Washington DC on 10 December.

And weeks after accusing referee Joe Cooper of “home cooking” – making a biased decision in favour of Peterson – Mr Khan has taken to Twitter to suggest that an unidentified man sitting next to the fight officials was handling their scorecards.

In a series of postings, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist uploaded still images and videos from various stages during the bout, in which it appears the fedora-clad man was talking to WBA fight supervisor Michael Welsh.

“This is what I meant on how he was interfering, as no one is allowed according to the rules to touch the scorecards or even talk to the judges in commission during the fight,” Mr Khan wrote in one tweet.

I want to know what was going on…He shouldn’t be allowed to sit in that inner circle. Boxer Amir Khan

He continued on subsequent tweets: “I’ve read in some articles and people have also told me that after the fight Michael Walsh the guy in the red tie apparently said his score cards didn’t match up to the others, it wasn’t fair and he looked really scared and he was told to butt out and there was nothing he could do…since then no one has heard from him.

“I want Michael Walsh to come out and speak out about what was going on, it’s only right and fair to do so.”

In an interview, Mr Khan added: “I saw so much going on, so much commotion outside the ring. I want to know what was going on. [The man in the hat] went over to Peterson’s camp and was celebrating with them after the fight.

“He had no accreditation [to be sitting there]. He shouldn’t be allowed to sit in that inner circle.”

Mr Khan’s camp is scheduled to appear in New York later this month for an appeal to the IBF. Mr Khan and his team have said they want the decision overturned – or at least an immediate rematch.

Boxing pundit Steve Bunce said he was “disgusted” that the perceived interference at ringside was allowed to happen

“The guy at ringside should not have been there – fact. One hundred per cent, you cannot alter the scorecards of the three officials scoring the fight,” he told Channel 4 News.

“The man who the guy in the fedora hat is talking to is not a judge, but the official who transcribes the three score slips. So if the three original slips exist, then show them so that we can look at them next to each other. If we can do that, then the man in the hat means nothing.”

The Bolton boxer was deducted two points for pushing during the fight, which turned out to be crucial.

“Khan lost the fight because he had points deducted, with one judge figuring he lost by five rounds. That judge should never work again,” Mr Bunce added.

Mr Khan’s business manager Mr Vali said that he did not intervene during the fight because he was focusing on the contest itself.

“We didn’t say anything because we were concentrating on the fight,” he said.

I’m happy with my performance. I believe I won the fight. Lamont Peterson

Mr Vali added: “It was so weird how it went on. He appeared just as the first bell had gone and I overheard that he was supposed to be an IBF official. I know he wasn’t an official.

The Khan camp has been told to expect answers to queries they have put to the IBF within the next 24 hours.

“If there is foul play – I’m not saying there is – then we need answers to what actually went on,” Mr Vali said.

For his part, rival Mr Peterson said he is fed up with the cries of injustice from Khan’s camp.

“I’m tired of it,” he told the Washington Post.

“That’s his energy being wasted. I’m at the point where I’m like, ‘Forget it’. I know the hearing’s coming up. Whatever they decide, they decide. I’m not going to sit and cry about anything. I’m happy with my performance. I believe I won the fight.”

Tale of the tweet: what you made of the #Khanspiracy

@AntonGBR he is just a sore loser! Should just get his head down and concentrate on winning without the scorecard!

@superdenby Khan is being a little childish BUT his point is fully justified. This should be explored and rematch done.

@Maff_Felstead he’s not the first to be robbed and he won’t be the last. Just wish he’d stop whingeing and be better in the rematch.

@Stifanovich Amir has only himself to blame. If u want to win world title bout u must win it convincingly. Peterson displayed more courage

@N1X I defo believe that King #Khan is right and he should be given his belts back. #Disgraceful and #shameful actions