Amir Khan has branded Lamont Peterson's use of synthetic testosterone "a crime", claiming the American "could have killed me" when the pair fought.

Peterson beat Khan to take the Englishman's WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles in controversial circumstances in Washington DC last year.

The pair were due to meet in a rematch last month before it emerged Peterson had tested positive for a banned substance.

Peterson's team then claimed he had been prescribed synthetic testosterone for medical reasons which was administered in the form of a pellet inserted into his hip before the first fight on December 10. Ironically, Peterson had actively requested the more stringent level of testing used for the fight.

The rematch, set for Las Vegas on May 19, was therefore scrapped, and a hearing on June 13 will decide on what action to take.

Khan, who instead fights WBC champion Danny Garcia on July 14, wants the original result overturned and the two belts returned to him.

The 25-year-old believes the issue is about more than just performance enhancement.

"If you're taking something that is going to help your performance in a fight and it's illegal, then it's a crime," he said. "He could have killed me, because of what he had taken.

"I still believe I won the fight but he could have killed me, with the amount of pressure and the better shots he threw in that fight because he was on something.

"So it's definitely a criminal offence, I think. That's why I think he should get a ban. He should be banned and made an example of in boxing."

The former Olympic silver medallist added: "Boxing is one of the best sports in the world and one of the toughest sports in the world and I think these little things outside of the ring are just wrong.

"They bring boxing down. What Peterson did has brought boxing down.

"We don't want people to see a big boxer, a muscular, strong boxer, and think 'oh, he's on steroids, because Lamont Peterson took steroids and I bet most boxers are on steroids'. We don't want that finger pointed at us. That's why I wanted the (more stringent) tests as well."

Peterson has vowed to clear his name by proving the failed test was nothing to do with performance enhancement.

His spokesman Andre Johnson said: "We have a hearing on June 13 and at that time we will provide significant evidence to clear his name and show that Lamont Peterson is not a cheat or a doper."

Khan is disappointed to miss the chance to avenge his second career defeat, having also failed to right the wrong of his 2008 loss to Breidis Prescott, but is relishing a scrap with new WBC champion Garcia in Las Vegas.

"Danny Garcia is a tough guy. I'm not taking him lightly," he said. "He's unbeaten in 23 fights and he's beaten the likes of Erik Morales and Nate Campbell and he won the WBC title.

"He's a world champion and he's only 24. He's young. I'm only 25 now but when I was his age I wanted to fight the very best and make a name for myself and that's what he's doing too.

"I've got to give him a lot of credit for that, because it shows he's got guts and he's not taking shortcuts or easy routes. He wants to take the tough route and fight the best like myself. So it will be a good fight - a tough fight, too. I'm not taking him lightly or looking too far ahead.

"Hopefully we get Garcia out of the way and take a look at the future."