What follows is the complete statement from Dr. Margaret Goodman, president of the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, issued Thursday in response to the cancellation of next week’s Lamont Peterson-Amir Khan rematch in Las Vegas:

VADA’s mission is to help protect the health and safety of athletes who are willing to demonstrate their commitment to clean sport. As a voluntary organization, we depend on those who share our vision to help rid boxing and MMA of PEDs. VADA understands and shares the disappointment that is felt by Golden Boy Promotions, Amir Khan, the undercard fighters, HBO, and the thousands of fans who were looking forward to Khan-Peterson II. This unfortunate situation, however, serves to underscore the need for PED education and the high-caliber testing procedures that VADA offers.

VADA has respect for Richard Schaefer, GBP, and their commitment to clean sport. However, VADA disagrees with Mr. Schaefer’s characterizations of the contractual relationship between GBP and VADA. The facts are as follows.

There was never a final or signed contract between GBP and VADA. When VADA became involved with the Peterson-Khan fight in March, the individual athletes signed up for the VADA program and executed the proper documentation.

VADA was told that GBP also wanted a contract so that GBP would be authorized to receive the testing results, including the preliminary results from an “A” sample analysis. It is important to understand that “A” sample results are only preliminary, do not legally stand up by themselves, and under commonly accepted anti-doping procedures are typically released only to the athlete.

In order for VADA to release the preliminary “A” sample results to a third party such as GBP, VADA requires an executed authorization allowing us to do so. VADA sent GBP a draft contract for its signature which would have authorized the preliminary “A” sample results to be released to GBP. This initial draft (which was never signed) contained a clause pursuant to which GBP would have represented that it had obtained the necessary authorization from the fighters. GBP’s legal team rejected this clause and instead suggested making the fighters signatories to the contract with their signatures being the necessary authorization. VADA’s counsel made it clear to GBP that, if GBP wanted to handle it this way, GBP must take responsibility for obtaining the athlete’s signatures. Unfortunately, and to VADA’s dismay, GBP never obtained the signatures.
Various versions of a draft contract were sent back and forth between GBP and VADA. The contract was never finalized. Richard Schaefer may, or may not, have been aware of this situation. The bottom line is that VADA had no contract with GBP. This is not a mere technicality. It involves issues of medical ethics. VADA needed a signed contract in order to deviate from its Results Management Policy (posted on our website) and release the preliminary and personal medical information to a third party. VADA still has never received a signed contract or signed athlete authorization from GBP.
 VADA would have been happy to inform GBP of the preliminary “A” results. But we needed a signed authorization allowing us to do so, which we never received.

It has also been asked why it took so long to test the “B” sample after the first positive test result. When VADA notified Mr. Peterson of the adverse finding on April 13, Mr. Peterson had one week to challenge the “A” test result and ask for the “B” sample to be tested. During that time, Mr. Peterson also had the opportunity to supplement his earlier written submissions to VADA with regard to drugs and other medications that he had used prior to the testing. Mr. Peterson’s representatives waited eight days (until Saturday, April 21) to respond. At that time, they did not communicate any of the “exculpatory” material later offered to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Instead, they chose to challenge the positive test result, asserted their right to be present when the “B” sample was tested, and asked that the “B” sample be tested on Friday, April 27th. The UCLA laboratory said that Friday was an inappropriate day to begin testing because four consecutive days are needed to complete the test. The sample “B” test began on Monday, April 30th.

VADA has complied in every way with all signed contracts that we had and will continue to do so. VADA welcomes the discussion about the dangers of PEDs to those who use them and to their opponents. We also reiterate our contention that it is imperative for the managers, promoters, and friends of these brave athletes to assist in the education about PEDs. VADA will help in every way we can. Our hope is that there will come a time when every test is negative.

– SI.com staff

The team behind IBF and WBA light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson issued the following statement on Thursday morning in response to the cancellation of the May 19 rematch between Peterson and Amir Khan:

Team Peterson is very disappointed and distraught by the decision to cancel the May 19th rematch against Amir Khan. This is an extremely difficult decision to accept. We have always taken the position of providing factual information rather than responding emotionally to rumors and innuendoes. We did everything that was asked of us in efforts to comply. To support our stance we provided the Nevada State Athletic Commission with a significant amount of factual medical data in response to these allegations. Lamont did a battery of test this week and saw a number of independent board certified physicians. They all had the exact same conclusion as the doctor that initially treated and diagnosed Lamont’s medical condition. It began as a confidential medical matter between a patient and his physician; unfortunately, it has now become a public issue in efforts to clear the name and reputation of this young man.

As a condition for this rematch Lamont demanded that Olympic style random drug testing be implemented. He has been a true advocate for making boxing drug free and fair. In his 18 year career (10 amateur and 8 professional) Lamont Peterson has never failed a drug test and has always complied with the rules beyond this isolated and explainable occurrence. We still stand behind the fact that he did nothing wrong and he was more than ready to go through with the May 19th fight. He is a man of tremendous character and will. His work ethic is second to none and in every sense of the word he is a true Champion, in life, as well as in the ring.

We will vigorously pursue the truth with regards to this matter and continue to fight to protect this young man’s character, credibility and all he has accomplished. Once all the facts have been reviewed we have no doubt that he will be vindicated.

– SI.com staff

Barry Hunter, manager and trainer for junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson, issued a statement Wednesday in response to the protests of Amir Khan and Golden Boy Promotions of Peterson’s split-decision victory over Khan on Dec. 10. The full text of Hunter’s letter follows:

Statement of Barry Hunter

Unfortunately, we are in this process of dealing with these unfounded protests. It would be an understatement to characterize Lamont as being disappointed in the unprofessional manner in which Khan is attempting to discredit his performance in the ring and victory. We were raised to conduct ourselves where Champions display professionalism, both in victory and defeat. Lamont previously tasted defeat and handled it the way it should be handled — he worked harder on areas that needed improvement to maximize his performance in the ring. Now, he is World Champion.

Khan blames everyone and everything but his performance and lack of ability to make adjustments in the ring for his loss. He claims that the Ring Announcer privately stated he won, then that the referee’s discretionary actions should be overruled, then a mystery man in a black hat with no association to the Peterson Camp somehow affected the outcome of the bout, and also that the judges did not score the Bout correctly. Each claim is boldly false, but because Golden Boy and Khan have the financial resources to file protests and lawyers to create questionable accusations we are forced to address these issues. We will not let these foul tactics take away from Lamont’s hard work, dedication and monumental victory. Furthermore, since Khan continues to focus on a man at ringside I want to be very clear — Mustafa Ameen is in no way, nor has he ever been affiliated or associated with anyone within Team Peterson. That includes myself, Lamont and Anthony Peterson.

If the media reports are true, the WBA President personally believes there should be a direct rematch of the fight. This was oddly stated before an official review had taken place, as well as an official response or decision from the WBA review committee had been presented regarding the various protests and our formal submission. That makes me wonder what procedures were actually followed before the WBA President made these public statements? The Rules should be followed by everyone.

Khan complains that the referee’s decisions should be overturned even though he continued to push Lamont throughout the fight. We believe the knockdown against Lamont was questionable but the rules give the referee that discretion on that call and we respect it.

When Zab Judah filed protests for Khan’s repeated low blows in their July 2011 bout Golden Boy and Khan argued that a referee’s decisions should be honored. Now, Golden Boy and Khan are flip flopping on the referee’s decision when it’s not favorable towards them not the actions of a true champion.

Immediately following our bout Golden Boy and Khan requested a meeting among us with the sanctioning organizations and the Boxing Commission. When we left the meeting Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins and I agreed with the commission that the scorecards were correct and Lamont won the fight. Real Champions don’t continue to come up with various excuses and false accusations in hopes that something will stick to cover up for a loss.

The bottom line is that after we decided not to accept Golden Boy’s offer for a rematch only days after the fight and said that Lamont wanted to enjoy the Holidays with his family and have time to make the best decision for his career and the future of his family; they started filing protest letters and trying to spin the media as some form of retaliation. If the media reports are true, then the actions of a few will put every close decision in boxing in jeopardy of being overturned. We will not let that happen. We will continue to fight for what is just and proper.

Barry Hunter
January 11, 2012

– Bryan Armen Graham

LOS ANGELES — When Michael Buffer boomed out Lamont Peterson’s name Saturday night, officially awarding Peterson a pair of junior welterweight titles and ending Amir Khan’s reign atop the 140-pound division, the first person I thought of was Tim Bradley. Bradley, of course, has had a very public back and forth with Khan over the last year, one that intensified when Bradley passed on a $1.8 million payday to fight Khan last summer. Still, I was interested in getting Bradley’s thoughts on his archrival losing to Peterson, whom Bradley destroyed over 12 rounds in an alphabet title fight in 2009.

“I thought the fight went exactly as I thought it would,” Bradley said. “Peterson can box but he likes to bang and brawl. He attacked the body the same way he did with me. He looked a little more confident though. He said he wasn’t mentally ready when he fought me. He said he was a little nervous. He looked more comfortable, like he was ready to be there.”

The ending was controversial, of course, because referee Joe Cooper deducted two points from Khan for pushing. The deductions proved to be the difference in the fight. While Khan protested the referee’s calls, Bradley says they were fair.

“Review the tape, see how many times Khan pushed and shoved Peterson,” Bradley said. “He was pushing him and trying to get space. The ref warned him. He took action. The ref did his job. A foul is a foul.”

Bradley said he had no sympathy for Khan getting a raw deal in Peterson’s hometown.

“It was in D.C., you allowed that to happen,” Bradley said. “You should look at your promoter and say, ‘You set me up.’ Khan goes to Vegas and he does five or six thousand fans. In D.C. there was about nine thousand. That’s more money for the promoter. They thought it was going to be safe but when you go into someone’s hometown, you take a risk. I know when I fight, I look at who is going to be the judge, the ref, everything. Khan has himself and his team to blame. What they did was arrogant and stupid. You are the No. 1 guy at 140 pounds and you allow that to happen? I’ve been saying Amir needs to focus on Lamont and not me and Floyd [Mayweather]. Now he lost his belts.”

Bradley says he has been taking some time off since his win over Joel Casamayor last month but plans to get back in the gym next month. He is waiting for word on a fight with Manny Pacquiao — he is believed to be one of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum’s top choices as a possible opponent should negotiations for a megafight with Mayweather fall apart — but he won’t wait forever. He says he is still open to fighting anyone, including Peterson, who does not owe Khan a mandatory rematch.

“That would be a good fight, a tough fight,” Khan said. “Peterson, now that he has those belts, it is going to be hard to take them from him. It’s definitely a challenge that I would love to face. He’s a guy who can make an exciting fight. It would be a tough fight, but I believe it is a winnable.”

– Chris Mannix, SI.com

Here it is. SI.com had it 113-112 to Khan.

Amir Khan (right), a light welterweight champion who won Olympic silver at 17, trains under Freddie Roach (left) at Hollywood's Wild Card Boxing Club. (AP)

Having moved into the top 10 in most outlets’ pound-for-pound ratings (including SI.com’s), light welterweight champion Amir Khan returns to action Saturday against Lamont Peterson in Washington, D.C. (9:45 p.m. ET, HBO). SI.com caught up with the 24-year-old British sensation, whose plans for the next year could include a high-profile showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

Age started fighting?

8 years old.

What’s your first boxing memory?

Just going to the local gym for the first time with my dad. I remember I was always very hyperactive as a kid and to burn off some energy my dad thought it would be a good thing to take me to our local club around the corner from my house. The first time I stepped in there and saw people on the punching bags, taking out their anger, I knew this would be something I would enjoy. I’ve not looked back since.

Who’s your favorite all-time fighter?

Muhammad Ali. I used to watch his old videos and fights growing up. He was just as special outside the ring as he was in it.

What’s the greatest fight you ever saw?

There are a few that come to mind in recent years, like the trilogy between Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward. Those were some real hard battles that had fans on the edge of their seat. There are of course the Erik Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera fights. And also Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo: that was a see-saw fight that could have gone either way but the ending was the most dramatic I’ve ever seen.

Who was the toughest opponent you ever fought?

My toughest opponent was probably Andriy Kotelnik, whom I beat to win my first world title. He was a very skilled fighter but I managed to outbox him and knew I would have to be at my best to beat him and win the belt.

What was your favorite subject in school?

I loved sports classes, anything physical.

What’s on your iPod?

Mostly hip-hop and R&B like Drake, Jay Sean and Tinie Tempah.

What is your favorite movie?

Scarface.

What is one misconception about boxers?

I guess a lot of people think boxers are as brutal outside the ring as they are in it. They don’t realize that boxing teaches discipline and that a lot of us are nice people away from the ring.

What would you be doing if you weren’t fighting?

A sports teacher or coach. It’s a field I think I would have enjoyed working in.

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

Watches. I have a soft spot for them! I think I deserve to treat myself every once in a while after all the things I put my body through.

Favorite meal when out of training?

Mum’s home cooking! Anything she makes!

What would you change in boxing?

I would protect fighters and make sure their interest is number one. Golden Boy Promotions is doing that because Oscar De La Hoya knows what it’s like from a fighter’s perspective, but there are many that are mistreated and taken advantage of.

What car do you drive?

Range Rover Supercharged Overfinch.

What’s the biggest thing that changed since you became a world champion?

I guess more and more people begin to know who you are. I was always well known in the U.K. after I competed in the Olympics, but my fanbase worldwide has grown significantly since I became a world champion.

Name three people you’d like to have dinner with (living or dead).

Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and Tupac Shakur.

What advice would you give to young fighters coming up?

Enjoy it, but if you are serious about making it as professional you have to be focused and disciplined. And that means getting up and putting in a hard graft even if you don’t really want to.

What’s your favorite place to vacation?

Dubai.

What is your dream venue for a fight?

I would love to have a huge fight at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton. It’s the home of the soccer team that I support.

What sports do you watch outside of boxing?

Soccer and UFC mostly. Sometimes I’ll watch cricket, which is popular in England, if my cousin Sajid Mahmood (who is an England international) is playing.

Your idea of happiness?

Just being with family and friends and spending time with them. I think family is the most important thing in life, alongside health.

Your greatest fear?

I think every fighter would say losing.

Your present state of mind?

Focused and ready for battle on December 10th. It’s going to be a great fight!

When it’s all over, how do you want people to remember you?

As a great champion who entertained the fans. I want to win as much as I can over the next few years and do some big things in this sport.

– As told to Bryan Armen Graham