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.
Darren Plant
