13th January, 2012
The ‘mystery man’ accused by Amir Khan of interfering with judges’ scorecards in his world title defeat by Lamont Peterson helps the International Boxing Federation (IBF) assist financially needy boxers, the organisation said.
The IBF, however, said Mustafa Ameen, seen in video footage at ringside of last month’s controversial title fight, was not an IBF employee or official, but they had asked the local boxing commission to arrange access to the bout for him.
Khan, who lost his World Boxing Association (WBA) super-lightweight and IBF light-welterweight titles to the American in Washington DC, had posted Twitter messages highlighting footage from the clash and questioning the presence of the man at the ringside.
“At this point in time the IBF has decided to break its silence and provide some clarification on the matter of Mr Mustafa Ameen’s presence at the IBF/WBA championship bout between Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson,” the boxing organisation said in a statement.
“Initially, the organisation chose not to publicly address this matter to preserve the integrity of the 18 January hearing scheduled for the appeal filed by Golden Boy Promotions on the ruling of the aforementioned bout.”
Ameen would be present at the 18 January hearing to explain his actions and what transpired during the bout between him and WBA supervisor Michael Welsh, the IBF said.
—Bimbo Ajayi