Khan: I was tempted by Peterson rematch

Amir Khan (right) regrets not having the opportunity to settle the score with Lamont Peterson
3 July 2012

Amir Khan admits his desire for revenge almost convinced him to fight Lamont Peterson in a world light-welterweight title rematch in May despite the Philadelphian's positive drugs test.

Khan's second clash with Peterson was called off with days to spare in May when Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone, despite his claims he took the drug for medical reasons. Khan, who was controversially outpointed by Peterson in their first fight last December, had to be convinced by members of his team not to take the rematch in light of the drug test.

Instead, Khan will fight another Philadelphian, unbeaten 24-year-old Danny Garcia, for Garcia's WBC light-welterweight title at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on June 14. Khan said: "I still think about what happened, and I would have preferred to have had the chance to settle the score properly and fight him even when he got caught by testing positive."

He added: "I thought there was still a chance of fighting him and my team were advising me not to because it wouldn't have been fair.

"What got to me a little bit was not having my chance to win the titles back and put things straight."

Khan insists he is taking no chances preparing to take on rising star Garcia, who has won all 23 of his professional bouts including taking the vacant title on points over Mexican veteran Erik Morales in his last fight in March.

Khan added: "This is a tough fight and I need to keep focused because when you look too far ahead you can make mistakes.

"I need to be very professional but in the future there are some super-fights out there for me."

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