Amir Khan: losing will be good for me

Defeated: Amir Khan

13 April 2012

Amir Khan today claimed that his controversial world title defeat to Lamont Peterson in the American capital Washington DC may have been a blessing in disguise.

Khan is still seething over the performance of referee Joseph Cooper, who twice deducted a point from the Briton, and the scoring of the three ringside judges, which resulted in the former Olympic silver medallist losing his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles on a split decision.

But the 25-year-old, who now has two defeats on his record, believes a rematch followed by a tune-up fight at welterweight will leave him better prepared for a career-defining showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

He was on course to face the unbeaten American next year but that bout is now on the backburner while Khan prepares to seek revenge against Peterson, 27, probably in Las Vegas on March 31.

Khan said: "I think things happen for a reason. Maybe making me wait will give me one more fight at 140lbs (light-welterweight), and then I'll move up to 147lbs (welter) and take one warm-up fight there. So instead of taking a fight with somebody like Floyd Mayweather in 2012, 2013 is going to be perfect."

Khan rejected criticism of his performance, saying: "I was against him, and the referee, and the judges."

Dereck Chisora is in line to fight WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in Munich on February 18.

Chisora lost to Robert Helenius in a split decision earlier this month and Klitschko said: "He is an interesting opponent.

"For me he clearly won the (vacant) European title fight against Helenius."