Tag Archives: scorecards

George Groves should be feared after Glen Johnson demolition

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Win proves I'm a contender! Groves believes he should be feared after Johnson demolition

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UPDATED:

17:24 GMT, 16 December 2012

George Groves insists his demolition of Jamaican veteran Glen Johnson at London's ExCel has identified him as a fighter to be feared by his super-middleweight rivals.

Groves defended his Commonwealth title with a wide points victory over a respected opponent whose 71-fight record includes wins against Roy Jones and Antonio Tarver.

It was only the 24-year-old's 16th contest, yet he succeeded in defeating Johnson more comprehensively than British rival Carl Froch, who secured only a majority decision in June last year.

In control: George Groves scored an easy unanimous points decision over Johnson at Excel

In control: George Groves scored an easy unanimous points decision over Johnson at Excel

Fighting back: The 24-year-old has fought just twice this year due to injury setbacks

Fighting back: The 24-year-old has fought just twice this year due to injury setbacks

'That performance will tell the rest of the division that I'm here, that I'm a contender and someone not just to keep an eye on, but to fear,” Groves said.

'I will give anyone in the world a decent fight and would beat a lot of the top guys. I believe that now I'm a world class fighter.

'Johnson has boxed at the highest level for a long time, and at light heavyweight as well. The good fighters he's beaten is impressive.

'I can look back at this year and say I've only had two fights, I've had two successful fights and have made big improvements.'

Injury has restricted Groves to just two outings this year and while he was hit too easily, his movement, accuracy and work-rate fully justified the 120-107 120-107 119-109 decision on the scorecards.

The one surprise was that he failed to become only the second man to stop the battle-hardened Johnson after Bernard Hopkins, although the 43-year-old was saved by the bell at the end of the sixth round.

'There were times when I was absolutely nailing him and 95 per cent of other super-middleweights would have gone, but he stood there,” Groves said.

'I genuinely thought I'd stop him. I didn't underestimate how good his chin was, but he can really take a punch.'

Promoter Frank Warren revealed that Groves and Billy Joe Saunders will be fighting again in London in February and tipped the former to win a world title by the end of 2013.

Rising star: Billy Joe Saunders moved to 16-0 with a win against Nick Blackwell

Rising star: Billy Joe Saunders moved to 16-0 with a win against Nick Blackwell

Saunders' rapid development continued with a unanimous points victory over former unlicensed fighter Nick Blackwell in the best contest of an entertaining bill.

Blackwell provided the 2008 Olympian with the toughest test of his 16-fight career and stalked down his opponent throughout, but Saunders' classier work saw him prevail 117-112 116-113 115-114 on the scorecards.

The win adds the vacant British middleweight title to his Commonwealth belt and while Saunders is far more advanced in his career, he covets a showdown with Chris Eubank Jr.

'Chris Eubank Jr is arrogant and I want to put him in his place. I didn't like his dad and I don't like him,' Saunders said.

'He's got nothing I want on, but I'd like to beat him because he's arrogant. He keeps calling people out but hasn't boxed anyone yet.'

The defeat was the second of Blackwell's 14-fight career, but the heavy underdog's gutsy performance and superb conditioning ensured he will challenge for British and Commonwealth honours again.

Liam Smith secured the vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight title with a comprehensive points victory over Steve O'Meara.

Manny Pacquiao says Juan Manuel Marquez deserved to win at MGM Grand

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Pacquiao: Marquez deserved to beat me… but I'm not quite finished yet

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UPDATED:

13:40 GMT, 9 December 2012

Manny Pacquiao admitted Juan Manuel Marquez deserved his victory in the pair's fourth fight, at the MGM Grand in the early hours of Sunday morning.

With Pacquiao leading 47-46 on all three scorecards, he was caught by a shuddering right hand from his Mexican opponent at the end of the sixth round which left him on the canvas for the second time and earned Marquez a knockout win.

Floored: Pacquiao lays motionless on the canvas as Marquez celebrates the knockout

Floored: Pacquiao lays motionless on the canvas as Marquez celebrates the knockout

Floored: Pacquiao lays motionless on the canvas as Marquez celebrates the knockout

Floored: Pacquiao lays motionless on the canvas as Marquez celebrates the knockout

Pacquiao issued a statement to his fans following the fight, which read: 'I want to congratulate Juan Manuel. I have no excuses. It was a good fight and he deserved the victory. I think boxing fans who watched us were winners too.

'To all my fans, I would like to thank you for your prayers and assure you that I am fine. I am looking forward to a nice rest and then I will be back to fight.'

Pacquiao received medical treatment following the bout, but his advisor Michael Koncz said afterwards: 'Manny was given a CT scan and the results were negative. We were in and out in just over an hour and Manny was in excellent spirits.'

No complaints: The pair embrace after the bout

No complaints: The pair embrace after the bout

The win may bring 39-year-old Marquez no titles, but for the Mexican it ended years of frustration as he vanquished his rival at the fourth attempt.

Their previous three encounters have not been short of controversy with decisions disputed – two Pacquiao wins and a draw – but there was no doubt about this one.

After two cagey rounds, it was Marquez who landed the first telling blow in the third.

A big right-hander sent Pacquiao to the floor and, though he bounced straight back up again, it was clear the Filipino was rattled.

Stunned: Fans watch on in the Philippines as Pacquiao is beaten

Stunned: Fans watch on in the Philippines as Pacquiao is beaten

A high-octane and even fourth followed, but in the fifth it was Pacquiao who stepped up a gear, landing a big left jab on Marquez, who touched the canvas with his glove.

With Marquez cut and hurting, the 33-year-old scented blood and pressed forward in the sixth.

But in his haste to finish off Marquez he left himself open and the Mexican produced a thundering counter-punch which left Pacquiao face down on the canvas.

On top: Pacquiao had been leading on points before the knockout blow

On top: Pacquiao had been leading on points before the knockout blow

Marquez told the Guardian: 'I never thought he was going to beat me, even though I feared the knockout when he came at me in those final three rounds.

'I was coming on strong, though. When he dropped me, he caught me good, but I was thinking I was going to push hard in the later rounds.

All smiles: Marquez was delighted with the win

All smiles: Marquez was delighted with the win

All smiles: Marquez was delighted with the win

'I fought on the inside sometimes but with a lot of intelligence. This was one of my best victories.

'I did it for me and I did it for Mexico. It would make me so happy to be there now, celebrating with my countrymen in Mexico City, but I will get there soon.'

Lord Ted Dexter said first defeat to India was "great"

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First series defeat to India was 'great', says Lord Ted Dexter 50 years on

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UPDATED:

23:22 GMT, 4 December 2012

Ted Dexter, looking fit enough at 77 to still be riding his beloved motorbike, sat in a plush office at Eden Gardens and remembered the winter when he led a desperately below-strength England in India 50 years ago.

'As a cricket experience it was fantastic,' said 'Lord Ted', back here in Kolkata as guest of honour for Wednesday's third Test.

'We had wonderful crowds, garlands, and local dignitaries. As a grounding for me as a young captain on his travels it was great. I've got the scorecards of all five Tests from that tour and I'm going to present them to Nari Contractor.'

Memories: Lord Ted Dexter remembers the first Test series against India fondly

Memories: Lord Ted Dexter remembers the first Test series against India fondly

On the eve of this match, Dexter gave them to his Indian opposite number 50 years on at a ceremony the Cricket Association of Bengal laid on to celebrate 80 years of Anglo-Indian clashes and the half-century since that first, famous Indian series victory over England.

Both Dexter and Contractor were due to be presented to the Eden Gardens crowd on Wednesday.

'I've got the scorecards of all five Tests from that tour and I'm going to present them to Nari Contractor.'

– Lord Ted Dexter

'It's wonderful to be here,' he added. 'My wife was born here and loves coming to India.'

Dexter speaks with the gushing enthusiasm of a man who could be excused for being scarred by his time in India.

His series as a sort of interim captain in 1961-62, with Peter May, Tom Graveney, Jim Laker, Fred Trueman, Colin Cowdrey and Brian Statham missing, ended in a 2-0 defeat.

Worse followed more than 30 years later when, as chairman of selectors, Dexter presided over a 3-0 'brownwash' for Graham Gooch's England.

That was the tour of dodgy prawns, smog in Calcutta and 'a study into facial hair'.

Dexter, for a man who was lampooned for muddling his words – 'Who could forget Malcolm Devon' he once said – was both lucid and articulate as he spoke to Sportsmail.

'Our side were in a terrible state,' the former chairman remembered.

Man in the middle: From l to r Tom Graveney, Fred Trueman, Lord Ted, Don Brennan and Fred Titmus

Man in the middle: From l to r Tom Graveney, Fred Trueman, Lord Ted, Don Brennan and Fred Titmus

'Air India had gone on strike so they did all their travelling by train or bus. I invited Graham Gooch for dinner first night and halfway through the soup he went . . . bonk. Out for the count.'

Then there was that report into the pollution. 'I got into terrible trouble about the smog,' winced Dexter.

'This professor said he was making a study of pollution and its effects on athletes. I told him a couple of ours were coughing and perhaps he could let us have a proof.

'I don't think I ever saw it but I mentioned it in a press conference. Two guys heard some rumour and gave me a hard time.'

'Air India had gone on strike so they did
all their travelling by train or bus. I invited Graham Gooch for dinner
first night and halfway through the soup he went . . . bonk. Out for
the count.'

– Lord Ted

England, in particular manager Bob Bennett, were criticised for being unshaven after an arduous train journey.

'Oh yes, we had all that business too,' he said. 'It went with the territory I suppose.'

This dashing batsman, one of England's best post-war, and innovative chairman of selectors whose legacy remains in the form of rankings and a four-day County Championship, should not be remembered for slips of the tongue.

'I still follow cricket,' said a man now living in the south of France. 'You can read my blog. It's teddexter.com.' He always was a modern thinker.

Carl Froch could miss out on Mikkel Kessler rematch

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Froch could miss out on Kessler rematch as Dane eyes showdown with Ward

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UPDATED:

18:19 GMT, 3 November 2012

Carl Froch may have to put his hopes of avenging his defeat to Mikkel Kessler on hold after the WBA ordered champion Andre Ward to face the winner of the Dane’s clash with Brian Magee.

Ward, who has yet make a mandatory defence of his title, would have to face either man by June 8 next year, around the same time Froch hoped to face Kessler in a hotly-anticipated stadium showdown.

The Dane takes on Brit Magee in his homeland on December 8 and admitted the promise of a rematch with Ward adds an extra dimension to the fight.

Revenge: Carl Froch (left) lost a tight decision to Mikkel Kessler in Denmark

Revenge: Carl Froch (left) lost a tight decision to Mikkel Kessler in Denmark

‘I did not think it was possible to be more motivated to beat Magee and become world champion again on December 8, but now I have found a reason,’ he said.

‘Andre Ward knows that he owes me a rematch. That was not the real ‘Viking Warrior’ in the ring on that night. I was at my best against Froch and Allan Green, and I will be at my best against Magee. Now I just have to regain my title on December 8 and then we will have the rematch. Ward had better get ready’

Let's go again: Kessler (left) would relish a rematch with Andre Ward

Let's go again: Kessler (left) would relish a rematch with Andre Ward

Ward was well ahead on the scorecards when his first bout with Kessler, in the opening round of the Super Six tournament in 2009, was stopped after an accidental clash of heads in the penultimate round.

Ward meanwhile is expected to return to action against Kelly Pavlik in January, having stopped Chad Dawson in the 10th round of their clash in September.

London 2012 Olympics: Luke Campbell guarantees boxing medal

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Bantamweight Campbell into last four to ensure boxing medal for Great Britain

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UPDATED:

20:27 GMT, 5 August 2012

Luke Campbell has guaranteed himself a bronze medal at least after defeating Detelin Dalakliev in the quarter-finals.

The Hull bantamweight was behind on the scorecards going into the final round but had his opponent on the canvas as he turned it around.

More to follow…

Boxing clever: Great Britain's Luke Campbell will win at least a bronze medal

Boxing clever: Great Britain's Luke Campbell will win at least a bronze medal

Scott Quigg and Rendall Munroe in technical draw

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Munroe and Quigg face rematch after cut ends title clash in third round

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UPDATED:

00:10 GMT, 17 June 2012

British super-bantamweights Scott Quigg and Rendall Munroe must put world title ambitions on hold as their interim WBA contest at Manchester Velodrome was ruled a technical draw.

The first two rounds of the highly-anticipated domestic contest bubbled under nicely before an accidental clash of heads at the start of the third left Leicester's Munroe with a deep cut above his right eye.

Blood poured from the 32-year-old's wound, leaving referee Howard Foster with little option but to end the contest early and call a draw, as the scorecards can only be consulted after four completed rounds

Game over: Rendall Munroe suffered a cut after an accidental clash of heads

Game over: Rendall Munroe suffered a cut after an accidental clash of heads

An anticipated showdown between the winner and Commonwealth champion Carl Frampton must now be placed on the back burner, with a rematch expected to be arranged between the two fighters from Ricky Hatton's promotional stable.

Munroe's customary come-forward style was in evidence from the outset as he looked to force a taxing pace upon British champion Quigg, nine years his junior.

But the former European king was largely frustrated by some eloquent defensive work from the Bury prospect, who fired back with some precise combinations to the body.

Action stations: Munroe (right) and Quigg served up an exciting two rounds

Action stations: Munroe (right) and Quigg served up an exciting two rounds

Both fighters looked to force the issue in the third when the untimely end came.

Quigg connected with a crisp right to the temple but as each man lunged in – Munroe from his southpaw stance – heads came together and the severity of the injury was soon apparent.

With the in-ring combat concluded, scenes of violence then broke out in the crowd as an anti-climactic evening ended on an unsavoury note.

Hatton Promotions director of boxing Richard Poxon told the post-fight press conference he expects Munroe to be sidelined for around two months with his injury before a rematch can take place, meaning Quigg is unlikely to enjoy the swift ring return his trainer Joe Gallagher would like to see.

'I went in to throw a right hand and the heads came together – it happened so quick,' said the British champion.

'I felt in control. The first round I was having a look; the second I was getting into it, making him miss and everything was going to plan.'

Similarly, Munroe also felt his gameplan was having the desired effect. 'I'd have put duct tape on the thing and carried on,' he said.

'I think anyone could see I was winning the fight. “I think he was struggling with the pace. He was running away in the rounds. “What can you do It happens.'

MASTERS 2012: Luke Donald disqualification fears over "admin error"

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Chaos at Augusta as Donald breathes again after 'admin error' threatened Masters DQ

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UPDATED:

22:25 GMT, 5 April 2012

World No 1 Luke Donald was cleared to continue in The Masters after what was described as an 'administrative error' regarding his scorecard.

Donald was disappointed with a three over par 75, but that was then changed to a 73 on scoreboards and officials were asked to investigate.

The 34-year-old had three-putted the fifth green for a bogey five, but the figure was entered into the scoring system as a three and hence the discrepancy.

Strange day: World No 1 Luke Donald (right) talks with caddie John McLaren (left) on the second hole

Strange day: World No 1 Luke Donald (right) talks with caddie John McLaren (left) on the second hole

The tournament is famous for a scorecard blunder by a player in 1968. On that occasion Roberto de Vicenzo should have been in a play-off with Bob Goalby, but signed for the wrong score on the 17th hole.

The Argentinian was not disqualified, however, because a par four was put down by his marker instead of a birdie three. He had to accept the higher score and so was declared the runner-up.

There was also the controversy of the 2003 Open at Sandwich. Mark Roe was in contention with a round to go, but he and playing partner Jesper Parnevik were both disqualified. That was because they had forgotten to exchange scorecards on the first tee and signed the wrong ones.

On the fairway: Donald hits a shot on the fifth hole during the first round at Augusta

On the fairway: Donald hits a shot on the fifth hole during the first round at Augusta

Padraig Harrington is another to have suffered a similar fate, in his case at the 2000 Benson and Hedges International at The Belfry. Five clear with a round to go, it was discovered he had not signed his first round card three days earlier.

Donald, though, will be able to try to get back into contention for a first major title.

'I didn't hit enough greens and give myself enough opportunity for birdies,' said Donald before he became aware of the scare over his score. 'This place, if you are a little bit off, it can eat you up and I was today.

'I struggled with a bit with mud on the ball, but everyone did.'

Nathan Cleverly could fight at Royal Albert Hall

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Warren hoping for Cleverly to help bring boxing back to Royal Albert Hall

Promoter Frank Warren hopes to set Nathan Cleverly up with a big summer bout against Bernard Hopkins in Cardiff, and also wants the Welshman to help him take professional boxing back to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time in over a decade in April.

Cleverly enjoyed a superb homecoming performance on Saturday night as he completely outclassed American challenger Tommy Karpency to retain his WBO light-heavyweight crown at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff with a unanimous verdict from the judges.

Triumphant: Nathan Cleverly celebrates after beating Tommy Karpency

Triumphant: Nathan Cleverly celebrates after beating Tommy Karpency

The 25-year-old's work-rate and accuracy was such he was awarded every single round on all three scorecards and the Caerphilly fighter has already spoken of his desire to move on to a big unification fight, with the winner of the April 28 WBC title clash between Chad Dawson and Hopkins top of the agenda.

While Warren is looking to put that contest on at the Millennium Stadium or Cardiff City Stadium, he also revealed he hopes the Welshman will defend his belt in London, also on April 28.

Warren said: 'Nathan is coming on in leaps and bounds and all our attention will now of course turn to April 28 and the Bernard Hopkins V Chad Dawson fight, then we will be making a big decision about a fight in the summer.

'In the meantime I have the Royal Albert Hall booked for April 28.

'I don't know if Nathan will be ready for that but I would not mind him being the guy to take boxing back there.

Trio: Karpency (left), promoter Frank Warren (centre) and Cleverly (right), before the fight

Trio: Karpency (left), promoter Frank Warren (centre) and Cleverly (right), before the fight

'There has been no professional boxing there for many, many years, it is probably the best venue in the country, the most prestigious venue and you could not get a better representative for British boxing than Nathan, to showcase taking professional boxing back there.'

As for a potential summer stadium bout in south Wales, which would hark back to the glory days of former super middleweight king Joe Calzaghe, Warren says his preferred opponent for such a contest is Hopkins, and defeat to Dawson would not rule the veteran American out of facing Cleverly.

He said: 'For me the best fight for Nathan would be Hopkins.

'I have a feeling Dawson may upset the odds when they face each other, he will give him a lot of problems, but I would prefer Hopkins.

'He is a big name, he had a good fight with Joe Calzaghe and if we brought him over and did that show at Cardiff City Stadium or the Millennium Stadium, it would be a great atmosphere with maybe 50,000 people in there.

Bigger things: Cleverly's victory means he is now eying up a fight against Bernard Hopkins

Bigger things: Cleverly's victory means he is now eying up a fight against Bernard Hopkins

'Nathan needs big fights, he rises to them and he has great temperament.'

Cleverly, whose victory extended his 100% record to 24 wins from 24 fights, said he would gladly accept the chance to fight Hopkins, and also suggested he would be ready to fight again on Warren's mooted Royal Albert Hall date.

'I want to go and get a few more fights as champion to keep learning about being world champion,' he said. 'This wasn't a brutal fight so I will be fine for April, it will be good to keep active.'

He added: 'I think I am ready to be unified champ.

'Hopkins and Dawson are the elite guys in the division, if you want to be the best those are guys you have to head for.

'I think I will be ready by the summer, if the opportunity came I would grab it with both hands and feel I could win the fight.

'Hopkins is a legend of the sport, an icon in the division, he has that aura. The fans showed their support by coming out tonight and I am sure that would be a good fight.'

Amir Khan could face legal action over Mustafa Ameen

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See you in court! Mystery man threatens to sue Khan over scorecard accusations

Mustafa Ameen, the mystery man embroiled in controversy over Amir Khan’s defeat to Lamont Peterson, plans to sue the former world champion.

Khan accused Ameen of interfering with the scorecards as he lost his WBA and IBF titles in Washington DC in December.

But the ‘man in the hat’ has hit back and demanded an apology from the British light-welterweight.

Controversy: Amir Khan could face legal action if he does not apologise

Controversy: Amir Khan could face legal action if he does not apologise

‘Amir Khan is going to have to apologise because I’m already in the process of litigating this,’ Ameen told Sky Sports News.

‘I’m in discussions with some of the most successful legal firms in Britain regarding the slander, the libellous statements, made against me by Amir Khan and other individuals in the press.

‘I will give Mr Khan an opportunity [to apologise] prior to me reaching the point of no return, and filing a law suit.

'My name is Mustafa Ameen. I can
categorically rule out any wrongdoing in my life, criminally. I don’t
work at it, that’s who I am. I'm an honest, forthright individual.'

Ameen has been accused of interfering
with WBA supervisor Michael Welsh’s scorecard but claims he simply
pointed out an inaccuracy.

Mystery man: Mustafa Ameen (left) was accused of interfering in the fight

Mystery man: Mustafa Ameen (left) was accused of interfering in the fight

He added: ‘I saw a mathematical error. I can’t remember which rounds, it was the early ones. I noticed that Mr Welsh had made a mathematical error and I informed him of that. He agreed and corrected himself.

‘It’s immaterial what Mr Welsh had [on his scorecard], it would have had no impact on the fight.’

Ameen went on to say that Welsh was unwell on the night of the bout.

'There didn’t seem to be anything unusual about the way the he was feeling but at some point he told me he wasn't feeling well.

'I don’t know exactly what that meant. I took it to be true because I know Mr Welsh is a certified public accountant. He can count circles around 99 per cent of us.

'He doesn’t need me for basic maths but on that night I assure you he made several mathematical errors.'

Mustafa Ameen defends ringside presence in statement

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'Mystery man' statement slims chances of Khan-Peterson re-match

The mystery man in the hat explained himself on Wednesday and in so doing made it easier to understand Amir Khan's last minute decision to pull out of his appeal to the IBF for an immediate world championship re-match with Lamont Peterson.

Mustafa Ameen, whose presence at ringside in Washington had been cited in TV highlights by team Khan as potential interference with the scorecards, had prepared a detailed statement for Wednesday’s hearing.

Mystery man: Mustafa Ameen (left) in the ring after the fight

Mystery man: Mustafa Ameen (left) in the ring after the fight

Since Ameen is one of their own officials, it would have been almost impossible for the IBF to overturn the split decision which cost Britain’s Khan his unified light-welterweight titles, however controversial the circumstances.

Ameen not only justified his attendance at the fight but was ready to reinforce with TV evidence his claim that he had no contact with the three judges, who were on different sides of the ring.

Khan will be suspicious of Ameen’s insistence that he merely helped an unwell WBA supervisor, Michael Welsh, tally the submitted round-by-round scores correctly, especially since that organisation have ordered a re-match.

Khan-spiracy: Amir Khan's camp had demanded an immediate re-match

Khan-spiracy: Amir Khan's camp had demanded an immediate re-match

However, it would have been difficult to prove any wrong-doing in the wake of this comprehensive rebuttal issued by Ameen through his lawyer, the renowned New York boxing attorney Michael Marley…

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF ‘MYSTERY MAN’ MUSTAFA AMEEN (Released through his attorney, Michael Marley)

I voluntarily came forward to testify in the IBF hearing on the Amir Khan-Lamont Peterson title bout which was supposed to be conducted Wednesday in Newark.

After arriving in New Jersey, I was disappointed to hear that Khan promoter Golden Boy had withdrawn its demand for such a hearing as to the controversial Dec. 9 title bout in Washington, DC.

You may recall that I was subjected to completely false allegations and innuendo as to my conduct at this event.

I was ready to put the facts into the record, under oath at the hearing, but now I won’t have that chance.

Briefly, here are the facts as to my involvement in this matter:

1 I never did anything illegal or even unprofessional while I was seated in the officials section at ringside.

2 I was properly admitted and credentialed for the event by the promoter after a request from the IBF. I have long been associated with the IBF in terms of assisting boxers who need a hand up and not a hand out. My efforts on behalf of such boxers with the IBF have always been done voluntarily and I have never received a single dollar for this work. In fact, I pay all my own expenses as to air travel and anything else in this activity. I do it because I love boxing and boxers.

3 I never tampered with, changed or altered any official scorecard before, during or after the Khan-Peterson title bout.

4 The WBA supervisor, Philadelphia CPA Michael Welsh, was seated next to me in the officials or technical zone and he told me he was feeling quite ill at ringside. He thanked me for handing scorecards over to him and helping him add them up. I merely double checked his addition at his request. I did this at his request but, again, I never altered or changed any marking made by any judge as to any single round or rounds or to any judge’s total scoring.

5 I never communicated during the bout with any of the three judges, all of whom were seated on a completely different side of the ring than the side Mr. Welsh and I were on. I did not use hand signals, smoke signals, notes or any gestures to communicate with any judge.

6 As an IBF offical, duly credentialed and admitted, I was in the ring when it was announced that Lamont Peterson had won. I was happy for Peterson and his manager Barry Hunter. I would have been in the ring and just as happy had Mr. Khan been named the winner. It was an excellent bout, highly competitive and good for the sport I love.

7 Allegations made by Freddie Roach, Khan’s trainer, about me being 'kicked out' of USA Olympic boxing training centers are completely false. I represent USA 2012 London Olympics heavyweight hopeful Michael Hunter (no kin to Barry Hunter) and Roach has seen me with Michael many times at various training facilities. I have never 'buzzed' any other boxer, amateur or professional. I feel that Mr. Roach has slandered me and I fully expect an apology from him for those false allegations.

8 I have been around boxing since the halcyon days of my friend, Muhammad Ali. I am quite friendly with respected people such as Manny Steward and the Klitschko Brothers. Michael Hunter and I have been involved in training camps with the Klitschkos and great trainer Steward. Another of my longtime friends in boxing is the highly respected Larry Hazzard, the former New Jersey boxing commission leader.

9 I will continue to work diligently, honestly and in a way that brings credit to boxing as I have always done.

I am no 'Mystery Man.' And I did nothing wrong.

Second chance: The WBA title could soon be vacant

Second chance: The WBA title could soon be vacant

With Ameen pulling that rabbit his hat and Peterson appealing against the WBA ruling, the prospect of Khan securing the re-match are receding again.

Even if the WBA stand by that decision Peterson is expected to surrender that title and defend the IBF belt against another opponent, possibly in a unification bout with WBC champion Tim Bradley.

That would leave Khan to fight for the vacant WBA title.