The hearing into Amir Khan's loss to Lamont Peterson has been cancelled after Golden Boy Promotions withdrew their appeal.
Golden Boy Promotions withdraw their appeal at the last minute
The hearing into Amir Khan's controversial loss to Lamont Peterson has been cancelled after Khan's promoters, Golden Boy Promotions, withdrew their appeal.
Just one day before the hearing was scheduled to start, the International Boxing Federation announced that the British fighter's team had changed their minds without giving a reason.
A statement from IBF public relations director Jeanette Salazar said: "I just wanted to advise you that at approximately 4:50 PM, EST, the IBF received notice that Golden Boy Promotions withdrew their appeal of the Khan-Peterson bout.
"The hearing that was scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, 1/18) has been cancelled. We have not received any further information on this decision by Golden Boy Promotions."
Khan travelled to New Jersey along with father Shah and business manager Asif Vali on Tuesday, even posting messages to fans on social network sites.
The Bolton fighter said on Facebook: "(En) route to New york (sic), for the ibf hearing. Let's see what the mystery man has to say!"
Titles
He later posted on Twitter: "Landed safe and sound to New York. 20minutes through customs, wow never been so quick."
Khan had complained to the WBA and IBF after losing both his light-welterweight world titles in a split decision in Peterson's home town of Washington DC on December 10.
He and his team had aired several grievances, including referee Joe Cooper's deduction of two points, the judges' scoring of the bout and the presence of 'mystery man' Mustafa Ameen, who was due to speak at the hearing, at ringside.
The WBA had already ordered a re-match between the two fighters, with the now-cancelled hearing set to determine whether the IBF would follow suit.
If the IBF hearing had not gone in Khan's favour, Peterson could have theoretically forfeited the WBA title and snubbed a rematch while keeping his other belt.
Golden Boy Promotions and the rest of the Khan camp did not comment on the cancellation.
