Peterson will not surrender titles despite failing drug test

The American was due to fight Amir Khan in a re-match of their thrilling December clash on 19 May, but the bout was called off by the Nevada State Athletic Commission last week after Peterson tested positive for synthetic testosterone.

Peterson maintains he was given treatment due to abnormally low testosterone levels and was unaware that what he was doing was contrary to anti-doping rules.

The 28-year-old had testosterone pellets inserted into his hip before he claimed a controversial split-decision win over Khan in December but is adamant they did not affect his performance.

He is therefore convinced he deserves to keep the world titles he won from the Briton until the sanctioning bodies or the NSAC, who meet on June 13 to discuss Peterson's case, decide otherwise.

"Let the commission decide, let the sanctioning bodies decide," he told BBC Sport. "Until that point I'm still the champ.

"If the procedure I done is what gave me the dirty urine, then what else can i say? I made a mistake. That's all I can say. Apologise for it and try and move on with my career.

"But I think it's wrong for anyone to call me a cheat. I've never been a cheat.

"I don't like it when people cheat. It's just my word but the pellets didn't do anything to help me beat him.

"I just want them - the commission - to know that I didn't intend to cheat or gain any advantage."