As reported recently, former WBA/IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Amir Khan (26-2 with 18 KOs) tweeted that he had been reinstated by the WBA as their ?Super Champion? and would be defending the belt in his rematch with Lamont Peterson (30-1 with 15 KOs) on May 19th in Las Vegas. The same day, WBA Vice President Gilberto J. Mendoza re-tweeted a tweet that he had sent to ESPN stating that Khan has NOT been reinstated as their WBA Super Champion and that ?he can get it back in the ring against Peterson?.
Khan was essentially exposed as a liar by Mendoza, so if Khan indeed fabricated a story about being reinstated as the WBA Champion, he is now both a cry baby and a liar —two qualities that this author holds in very low regard. Although I scored the first Peterson/Khan fight for Khan, I acknowledge that it was a very close, competitive fight that could have possibly been scored a draw or maybe for Peterson by one point.
What Khan and Golden Boy did subsequent to Khan coming out on the losing end were the antics of sore losers. A full-fledged investigation ensued involving a mystery man in a black hat, the judges, etc. accomplished two things: Sh*tting on Peterson?s victory parade and securing an immediate rematch. I believe that given the fact that Khan had the much bigger name in the industry and was the defending champion who was involved in a controversial decision to boot, it was unnecessary for him and Golden Boy to conduct themselves in that manner. A rematch would have almost certainly occurred irrespective of them throwing a hissy fit and ruining Peterson?s moment in the sun ala Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift?s victory speech at the Grammy?s a couple years back.
Prior to the first Khan/Peterson fight, I was a fan of Amir Khan. I viewed him as a charismatic, exciting and very talented boxer with a bright future who was willing to defend his title in his challenger?s back yard. I still view him as ?exciting?,? talented? and having a ?bright future? but I no longer view him as ?charismatic? —I now view him as ?annoying? and a ?sore loser?. For that reason, I am no longer a fan.
It?s hard to root for someone who is so childish and devoid of class. Of course, a percentage of the blame needs to be placed on his promoter Golden Boy Promotions, but ultimately it?s the fighter that is the captain of his ship. If Khan wished to do so, he could have instructed Golden Boy not to take the route they took. What Khan should have done after the fight is said ?I believe that I won the fight and I believe that a good number of the fans believe I won the fight, and I look forward to proving that I am the superior boxer by beating Peterson in a rematch on neutral turf. If he had done that, this author would not only have remained a fan, but would have rooted for him even harder during the rematch. The only title Khan will bring into the ring on May 19th is the ?Super CBA Champion? (Cry Baby Association). Win, lose, or draw Khan is guaranteed to leave the ring with that belt.
