Pacquiao has reportedly been in talks with Khan about a potential fight early next year, with the Daily Mail's boxing correspondent Jeff Powell claiming that Khan had got as far as agreeing a list of terms with the 36-year-old.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. of the U.S. poses with his title belts after defeating Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines in their welterweight WBO, WBC and WBA (Super) title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2, 2015. REUTERS/Steve Marcus Image credit: Eurosport

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Now, however, Powell claims that Pacquiao is dragging his feet over finalising a deal, suggesting that he is putting off making a call in order to give Floyd Mayweather Jr more time to come around to the idea of a rematch.

The pair met earlier this year in a bout between the undefeated Mayweather and Pacquiao, who is the only man ever to win world titles at an extraordinary eight different weights.

Mayweather won a bout that was generally seen as a huge disappointment, though an injury to Pacquaio meant that the Filipino was not at his best - hence why he appears to be burning with desire for a rematch with a man whose 49th and final victory came a couple of months ago against journeyman Andre Berto.

Pacquiao y Mayweather. Image credit: Eurosport

Powell claims that Pacquiao will not make a decision until Christmas, with Terence Crawford and Tim Bradley also mentioned as possible alternative opponents.

"In addition to Arum dispatching to Pacquiao tapes of Khan and Crawford in action and of Bradley's weekend knockout of Brandon Rios, there is a nagging suspicion that the PacMan may be giving Mayweather a respectable time frame in which to perform another U-turn out of retirement," writes Powell.

"Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach now admits regretting his failure to pull the PacMan out of the richest fight in ring history and repeatedly asserts that the result would have been different but for the shoulder injury which needed surgery immediately thereafter.

"A need to refute that suggestion would give Mayweather a platform to justify returning for the 50th bout of his career, which would carry him past the record of 49 wins en route to retirement as a world champion which he currently shares with Rocky Marciano."

Amir Khan Manny Pacquiao Image credit: Eurosport

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