'Mystery man' threatens to sue Khan
British boxer Amir Khan and his camp have been threatened with a lawsuit by 'mystery man' Mustafa Ameen unless they apologise for what the IBF volunteer has called "libellous statements".
Ameen, who helps the International Boxing Federation (IBF) assist financially strapped boxers, was accused of "interfering" with the judges' scorecards during Khan's defeat by American Lamont Peterson in a world title fight last month.
"Amir Khan will have to apologise because.... I will litigate in court," Ameen, wearing his trademark black hat, told Sky Sports News on Friday.
"I have been in discussion with legal firms in Britain about the slander and other libellous statements made against me by Amir Khan and other individuals.
"I'm going to fight back. Mr Khan needs to apologise and if not... I'm going to sue. He's not alone."
Ameen said he was also angered by comments made by Khan's trainer Freddie Roach, who had said the American "has no credentials, he's not a member of any boxing organisation. There's no reason for him to be at ringside".
Ameen added: "Mr Freddie Roach has made libellous statements which are untrue and Mr Roach needs to apologise.
"If Mr Roach issues an apology, I will accept it but he needs to very, very soon as I'm in the process of sorting out my legal team."
Peterson surprisingly won an enthralling contest in Washington on December 10, taking Khan's WBA super-lightweight and IBF light-welterweight belts on a split decision after the Briton was docked two points.
Khan's team questioned the performance of referee Joseph Cooper, who deducted points from the Briton in the seventh and 12th rounds, one for pushing and one for hitting his opponent on the break.
The 25-year-old's camp suggested a mystery man, later identified as Ameen, had interfered with the judges' scorecards.
Khan posted a number of messages on Twitter earlier this month highlighting footage from the fight in which a man in a black hat can be seen next to WBA supervisor Michael Welsh.
The man then appears to reach across in front of Welsh. The British boxer's camp allege that it was at this point that the man interfered with the scorecards.
Ameen said there was a logical explanation for his actions.
"At some point I looked down... I saw Michael Welsh had an incorrect score... in the second or third round. Mr Welsh had made a mathematical error and I informed him of that," Ameen said.
"That night Mr Welsh made several mathematical errors. Mr Welsh can verify or dispute what I'm saying.
"I have nothing to do with corrections on the scorecard. I was talking about corrections that needed to be made to Mr Welsh's unofficial sheet.
"Everyone is making accusations against me... but video tapes vindicate me.
"Someone in the Khan camp said Mr Welsh looked like he looked threatened and was afraid (of me), as if I was intimidating him.... please go and verify with Mr Welsh.
"I have no reason to interfere in anyone's fight. I can categorically rule out any wrongdoing, criminally, in my life.
"I have a clean record. I am an honest, forthright individual. It's not in me to manipulate or cheat. I do not do that," Ameen said before adding he did not take any payment from the IBF for assisting needy boxers.
Earlier this week, Khan dropped his appeal with the IBF for a rematch because not all the fight officials involved in the bout would have been represented at the hearing but the WBA has already ordered a rematch.
Comment 100 - 119 of 119
"He receives no compo for assisting needy boxers" even that statement sounds as dodgy as " i was just pointing out mathematical errors " and the Classic " just confirm with mr welsh" corruption and money run the game and in extreme cases Organised Crime is still rife in the fight game
Amir Khan was useless on the night and is very fortunate to get a rematch.
He must learn to listen to the referee and treat his opponents with more respect.
Mistery man needs to get a life he is obviously a moron, oh no he may sue me know PRAT
Mr Ameen wants to sue? I say he should, but lets just take a little look at this for a second, he's going to sue but he couldn't appear in front of the IBF or WBA, he's says he will sue because Amir Khan accused him if interfering with a judges scorecard yet he admits pointing out a "mathmatical error" on that score card, I think there is a better chance of me winning a boxing world title than of this guy sueing and believe me I am never going to win a world title. No matter what his motivation was, he has admitted to interfering with a judges scorecard, arguement over. If he is prepared too sue , why would he not appear at either inquiry? Sorry, it all sounds like empty words too me, however he may prove me wrong.
And one last Khan v Peterson point...how hard is it to score a fight and add up?!?!? Even if I was unwell I'm sure I can do some basic arithmetic. But this just highlights the antiquated scoring system that blights Boxing. Scoring NEEDS to change. Any ideas?
Khan refused to turn up at the IBF meeting because Messrs Ameen and Walsh (the main antagonists to the whole complaint) refused to appear at the meeting. With that being the case, how can Team Khan put forward their complaint? On a different subject...
SG..spot on about Fury (in an earlier post). He is talented but for such a big man, he needs to learn to put more digs in his punches. He is like a British Valuev in that his jabs have a lot of force but there's no venomous power. But Fury admits he's not good enough for the Klitschkos just yet and I'm afraid to say I can see Price KO-ing him should they fight. Although Price does look to be the real deal now after the McDermott fight. But back to Fury...how does he learn to put more power into his punches? Simple...join Freddie Roach's stable. I can't think of Freddie having many Heavyweights on his books and the media publicity Fury would achieve, would help his status in America (where fans really need a Heavyweight icon). Plus having that Irish connection too..imagine Fury v (either) Klitschko at Boston or Madison Square Garden on St Paddy's night next year!!! Could happen, but would Fury and Roach be a good combo? Thoughts?
Khan should call his bluff; don't apologise and let him stew. This lunatic is clearly just looking for publicity!
I believe Khan lost the fight and will avenge the loss with a knockout in the return. Idiots like this man should be ignored and kept away from fights, let alone officials.
The behatted one says: "Someone in the Khan camp said Mr Welsh looked like he looked threatened and was afraid (of me), as if I was intimidating him.... please go and verify with Mr Welsh."
I think if I was a highly paid, recognised judge at a mega-bucks world title fight and someone with no business being there kept pointing out how incompetant my maths was (in front of a camera), I'd look a bit intimidated!
The man who has nothing to do with the boxing match should bot be helping a IBF official in an unofficial capacity. If the IBF official was unwell it is up to the IBF official to report the matter to a official IBF memeber to assist him in his score card mistakes. This mystery man has no business in the fight or inside the ring and helping to rectify mistakes made by the IBF official either. His entire conduct in the fight is 'syeterious'! I am most surprised that IBF have failed to come out and condemn the actions of this man and say, 'the mystery' man has no business to get involved in the fight or the score sheet. Now he wants to sue every one in order to divert attention on himself for his wrong doing. I think this 'mystery man' is nothing more than a exhibitionist looking for self promotion to make somy money any way he can! I don't think Khan or his management has anything to worry about his idiotic threats. Perhaps he could sue me for my strong words too!!
Why has boxing been taken off the top sport lists? IT'S MORE ACTIVE HERE THAN HALF THOSE CHOICES?
keep spinning enoch your words have come true
Why did Khan drop his appeal with the IBF?
Because the appeal was baseless and meritless, that's why.
Khan has defamed the man in hat and should be held legally accountable for damaging the hat man's reputation.
Slander is profitable for the accused these days
'threatens to sue him' why not just sue him if you have a case Ameen, i feel like Ameen has no case, if he does y doesnt he sue him? he will become rich.
I'd be amazed if Khan gets a rematch. Because of the underdog thing, the closeness of the fight, no rematch clause, and Lamont's big heart on the night, they can write whatever script they want and get away with it. That's the way it goes in professional boxing. Plus the yanks know there's far more money to be made by not ordering a rematch. I thought Khan won on the night by a round despite the 2pt deductions. I also thought Khan couldn't possibly lose before the fight, but all his talk about Mayweather as his next opponent and then his lack of fight-nous on the night, and since he's turned pro to be honest, has come back to bite him on the butt once again.
Just wondering who gave this guy the right to check the score-cards, even if they were incorrect...?
Enough.Get back in the ring and get it sorted.Too much whinging ,too many corrupt folk around boxing.Good champs will state their case and then back it up with their fists . Less talk more action please.
I watched the fight twice - once on the night, I thought Peterson nicked it. I watched again and scored the fight round by round and had Khan winning by one round, if not for the last deduction. I do think the Yank showed a more determined performance however and Khan was certainly pushing throughout. He was in breach of the rules. However, like football, it would be similar to a referee giving an obstruction decision when a defender "sees out the ball" near his ownn goal line. It "could" happen, but rarely does.
I think the British public feel that Khan has been fed too many cheap opponents and really want to see him take the very top people on, like Morales and Barrerra did in their prime. He did do well against Maidena. Khan has potential but sometimes seems slightly arrogant, regardless of his race /roots. He does whinge a lot and many many fighters have been robbed over the years. Sugar Ray Robinson would just get on with it and sort it in the re-match with minimum fuss. A true legend of the sport........He should let his fists do the talking and prove to the British public, as did Lennox Lewis and Chris Eubank, that being criticised and disliked early on in your career may happen, but you have to win the public over. Khan is a talent there is no doubt. Is he a brave and likeable talent? That's up for the public to decide.
If this "MYSTERY" man is so sure he would win why ask for an appology if he has nothing to hide why not attend the hearing why just duck under the tape with "well i am not employed by this boxing board so i wont turn up to be questioned and they cant make me?
This stinks it really really stinks but Kahn should have been told by Roche he would have to knock the opponant into next yr to get a result in his back yard but he went to where the most money was being paid not to the place the fairest fight would take place
so son you takes your money son and makes your choice and to my mind you were badly advised
Of course he is guilty, 100%, If not then why is he in the ring celebrating the American's victory. Khan should sue him in return. American boxing is as corrupt and biased as anything known in sport. You have to knock an American boxer out in the US to have a chance of winning, and even then thats probably not good enough.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account