Bob Arum: 'Amir Khan not frontrunner to face Manny Pacquiao'

Promoter Bob Arum has suggested that Lucas Matthysse, not Amir Khan, is favourite to face Manny Pacquiao early next year.

Pacquiao and Khan have been in discussions regarding a potential bout in late February or early April, but Arum, who represents Pacquiao, has indicated that he will agree a deal with Matthysse providing that he beats Viktor Postol on Saturday night.

Arum told Boxingscene.com: "There's certainly been discussions with Khan but I wouldn't say he's the frontrunner.

"[Matthysse is] an exciting guy and he's gotten a lot of exposure and he would assure everybody that it would be a very exciting match. We would do it at a 144-pound catchweight. Manny's not a true welterweight."

Khan has not fought since beating Chris Algieri at the end of May, while Pacquiao is still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during his clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr.