PETERSON'S ABILITY TO GET LICENSED IN NEVADA IS IN GRAVE DOUBT

The rematch between WBA/IBF junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan scheduled for May 19th in Las Vegas, NV is looking doubtful. As reported by Boxingtalk and others, both Peterson and Khan were tested by VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) on March 19th right after a Los Angeles press conference, and Peterson tested positive for a substance "consistent with the administration of an anabolic steroid such as testosterone.” According to Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) executive director Keith Kizer, Peterson admitted taking testosterone pellets before the first bout with Khan last December. Kizer was informed by Peterson’s attorney, Jeff Fried, that Peterson took the dissolvable pellets late last year, prior to the first Khan fight on the recommendation of a doctor due to low testosterone. The testosterone pellets are rumored to have been slow acting and were meant to supply Peterson with an exogenous form of testosterone over a period of a few months, all without raising Peterson’s testosterone levels to the point of being abnormal, which explains why Peterson was able to pass a post-fight drug test in December after the initial Khan bout. Kizer states the NSAC is awaiting a response from Team Peterson to fully explain if/why the testosterone was actually prescribed. Upon receiving Peterson's response, the NSAC will render a decision regarding the licensing of Peterson for May 19th. Although Peterson may claim innocence, he is only 28 years old and shouldn’t normally have low testosterone levels. Prior steroid use could be a possible reason for low testosterone levels at his age. --John McCormick from espn.com and other sources