By John F. McKenna (McJack)
The “Mystery Man” at the center of the current controversy in the December fight in which Amir Khan (26-2, 18 KO’s) lost his title belts to new WBA/IBF light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO’s) was allegedly once thrown out of Freddie Roach’s gym.
The December fight has been filled with controversy ever since referee Joe Cooper took the unusual step of deducting two points from Khan for pushing off during the hard fought battle. The points deductions were the difference in the fight and allowed Peterson to not only become the new WBA and IBF champion but a hero in his hometown of Washington, D.C. as well.
Richard Schaefer the CEO for Golden Boy Promotions said yesterday that the identity of the “Mystery Man” is Mustafa Ameen. There are conflicting reports as to whether Ameen is an IBF official or not. Although it is almost certain that he did not belong at ringside talking with the WBA judging supervisor during the fight. Adding fuel to the controversy was the fact that Mustafa is seen on tape after the fight celebrating in Peterson’s corner with Lamont’s team.
The Daily Mirror quoted five time Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach saying the following:
“He comes to my gym. He came to the (U.S.) Olympic training centre and I had him removed one time. (Ameen) has no credentials – he’s not a member of any boxing organization. There’s no reason for him to be at ringside.”
Schaefer claims that the WBA had offered a rematch with Peterson and called for the IBF to do the same.
Roach maintains that because of the numerous controversies surrounding the fight, the match should be judged as a no-contest. The mounting controversies include the point deductions by referee Joe Cooper, the disappearance and reappearance of the scorecard and now the “Mystery Man” allegedly interfering with the WBA judging supervisor during the fight.
A hearing is scheduled for January 18 before the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) to discuss the various grievances surrounding the controversial Khan – Peterson fight.
Khan had planned to move up from light welterweight to welterweight after the Peterson fight, but losing his title belts put a least a temporary glitch in those plans.
