Former beltholder Amir Khan told Sky Sports Ringside that WBA/IBF junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson's failed drug test could never have been a mistake. Khan was due to face Peterson in Las Vegas on May 19th - with the Bolton fighter out to avenge last December's controversial split decision loss. However it emerged early last week that Peterson had tested positive for synthetic testosterone, a banned steroid - and the fight was canceled a few days later.

A lot of controvsery has spilled over in the last couple of days. Peterson claims that he was given the testosterone, through a pellet injection back in November, to help improve his low testosterone level. Peterson says the testosterone use was strictly for therapeutic purposes. Khan is not buying his story, claiming the Washington native denied using any testosterone until his test sample came back positive for a second time and he never disclosed the testosterone use on pre-fight documents.

"This could never be a mistake - even when I go to the doctors for a cough, I speak to my boxing doctor first and send him the name of the medicine I am taking," said Khan on Ringside. "Lamont Peterson is a professional world champion fighter, he knows that testosterone is illegal and that steroids are illegal so why put those substances in your body?"

"Every drugs cheat out there always comes up with an excuse - is that the best one he can come up with that he didn't know it was a drug? It looks bad for the sport and I think it is a good thing that we bought this random testing in because I would never have found out that he had taken anything if we didn't."

"I am very surprised this has happened because he seems like a really humble guy. He is very likeable and him and his trainer were very respectful. I don't know how he could face me after the first fight knowing - how could he call himself a world champion? That is what hurts me that he knowingly took this stuff. It looks bad for himself and he has disappointed America and disrespected his own fans. This sport of boxing is the king of sports."

Khan's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, is trying to overturn his decision loss to Peterson. Because Peterson disclosed that he took the testosterone prior to their first meeting, Golden Boy is attempting to get the official result changed to a no-contest. A legal letter has been sent to the Washington commission.

Legal letters have also been sent to the WBA and IBF, with identical requests to overturn Khan's loss to a no-contest and return the titles to the British superstar.

Khan will likely return on July 7th, possibly against undefeated WBC 140-pound champion Danny Garcia.