The International Boxing Federation has decided that Lamont Peterson will keep the organization's Junior Welterweight title, which he won from Amir Khan on December 10, 2011. The organization's decision is based on the findings reported by an independent physician, certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, retained by the IBF to review Peterson's medical records in relation to the information disclosed in the VADA report released this past May.
The physician was asked by the IBF to provide an opinion as to whether the levels of testosterone noted in the VADA report appeared to be consistent with the therapeutic use of the hormone, or for performance enhancing purposes. Additionally, the physician was asked to confer on whether these levels of testosterone would have enhanced Lamont Peterson's training for and performance during the bout on December 10, 2011, and for his training for the bout scheduled for May 19, 2012. After concluding the review of all the documentation provided by Peterson's camp and the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the physician determined that the testosterone levels noted in the VADA report are consistent with the therapeutic use of the hormone and not for the purpose of performance enhancement.
Therefore, these levels would not have enhanced Lamont Peterson's training for or performance during the bout on December 10, 2011. Nor for his training for the bout that was schedule for May 19, 2012, as a specimen collected by VADA on April 13, 2012 tested negative on May 2, 2012.
The IBF has advised Peterson's camp of the findings established in this independent review and of his status as the organization's Junior Welterweight Champion. Moreover, the camp was advised that Lamont Peterson must now make a mandatory defense of his title against Zab Judah, who won the elimination bout for the number one position in the IBF Junior Welterweight ratings on March 24, 2012.
Peterson's mandatory defense should have taken place on or before September 10, 2012 but was delayed pending the receipt of the endocrinologist's report. The IBF has ordered the respective camps into negotiations for this bout, which is now expected to take place as soon as possible on a date that all parties involved agree upon.
