I think in a funny way this whole mess could actually have done Khan a favour though. During the fight it became abundantly clear that still, he needs to improve his strength. Pace has of course always been his friend, and now he has a second shot at reinforcing this speed with an extra injection of power. If he doesn't do it now, he never will.
One might still argue that the overall decision was in fact the right one, and that Khan underestimated Peterson and merely paid the price for doing so. However it looks dodgy as fook to me and I think that there are certainly grounds for the result being declared a 'no contest'. Which is hugely disappointing, since it undermines the IBF and further embeds the notion (or rather the fact) that boxing, at all levels, is inherently corrupt.
Had Khan's camp not studied the replays, this would never have been brought to light. The use of technology to analyse and alter decisions retrospectively, is something I wholeheartedly advocate. I think that it can only serve to enhance the standard of umpiring in professional sport and will also act as a safeguard against corruption.
And I extend this principle beyond boxing too - if we had some sort of third umpire system in football for instance, then this whole Joey Barton business would not be an issue. I hear loud and clear that it's nice to keep some things universal at all levels of the game, but the speed and standard of form is progressing (in all sports) at the top tiers, and so should the systems of adjudication. It works in cricket and rugby and whilst I acknowledge that these men are of a different breed, I think if carefully implemented, goal line technology and a third umpire could work well.
Was it a red? Obviously not. Let's move on.
Now for the fun but. Wanna see something ridiculous? Sure you do...
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