The International Boxing Federation has rejected Amir Khan's appeal for an immediate rerun of his controversial points defeat by Lamont Peterson.
The ruling body dismissed Khan's claim that he was unfairly docked two points by referee Joseph Cooper for pushing.
"We found no discrepancies that would affect the outcome or the result of the fight," IBF championships chairman Lindsay Tucker said.
Khan's camp has until Tuesday to lodge a formal complaint against the verdict.
If they do, the IBF will convene a panel to investigate the fight.
The 25-year-old lost his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles on 10 December as Peterson won a narrow points decision in Washington DC.
Khan had Peterson on the canvas twice in the opening round - although only one was officially counted - and his two-point penalty proved costly after judges scored the fight 113-112, 113-112, 110-115 in favour of the local fighter.
Khan wants 'neutral' venue for Peterson rematch
The Bolton-born fighter was unhappy with the referee's performance and the judges' scoring of the fight in Peterson's home town.
He called for a rematch in a neutral venue, only to be turned down the the IBF.
"We decided not to order an immediate rematch on the basis of the fact that in the rules, if the referee feels that it's a foul, then that's his call to take a point," added Tucker. "He did warn Khan several times before he actually took the first point."
Peterson welcomed the IBF verdict. He urged Khan to accept the original decision, but said he was keen for a rematch to be held in 2012.
"Let it go. He lost the fight, he might get a rematch and he'll get a chance to prove himself," Peterson told Sky Sports News, before reiterating: "Yes, I definitely want a rematch.
"I look forward to doing everything in my power inside and outside of the ring to represent the IBF and WBA as the new champion."
Khan's camp are understood to be pursuing separate appeals with the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission and the WBA regarding the performance of the referee and ambiguities over the judges' scoring.
Although it is rare to have decisions overturned, WBC light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins has been successful in having October's fight against Chad Dawson changed from a loss to a technical draw.