By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The International Boxing Federation has set a tentative January 18 date for a hearing on the appeal of former IBF light welterweight champion Amir Khan against the decision in his controversial loss to Lamont Peterson last December 10.

IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard “All of the issues brought up in the Appeal will be heard by a 3 member panel. Once both sides have presented all of their evidence, the panel will determine if there are grounds to order a re-match.”

Tucker said the IBF had received a “formal complaint from Golden Boy's attorney early last week. That complaint centered mainly on the points deducted by Referee Joe Cooper. The IBF decided that Cooper had the authority to deduct points if he determined it was warranted. On Monday night, Dec. 19, 2011 we received a request for an Appeal of the decision of the Khan vs. Peterson fight under Rule 12.1.A.”

12.A. refers to Grounds for Appeal. It states 1. Miscalculation of the score where the correct score would change the outcome of the fight;

2. Inappropriate conduct by the referee which is alleged to have affected the outcome of the fight;

3. Misconduct on the part of the judges or referee which is alleged to have had a material effect on the outcome of the fight;

4. Imposition of penalties under Rule 14; and

5. Any other alleged violation of the rules of the IBF/USBA that may have a detrimental effect on the rights of the complainant.

Khan’s earlier appeal against the two point deductions slapped on him by referee Joe Cooper was rejected. The British fighter had heavily criticized referee Cooper after the fight. However, in turning down the complaint about the referee Tucker had said they “found no discrepancies that would affect the outcome or the result of the fight.”

There have been indications that a rematch is likely to take place in 2012.