LONDON • Amir Khan has missed out on his long-awaited welterweight fight with Manny Pacquiao, after it was announced on Wednesday that the veteran Filipino will meet Timothy Bradley for a third time on April 9 in Las Vegas.

The Briton was part of a three-man shortlist to be Pacquiao's next opponent, along with the rising star of United States boxing, Terence Crawford.

Khan, though, might not be giving up all hope of one day facing Pacquiao and earning a lucrative pay cheque, after promoter Bob Arum revealed the fight against Bradley may not be former multi-weight world champion Pacquiao's final bout.

Arum had said in October that it would be the Filipino's last fight before he concentrated on a career in politics.

However, he backtracked on that statement on Thursday by telling Reuters: "I don't want to say that.

"Who the hell knows with these guys? They all change their minds, so I'm not selling it as his last fight."

That may hold out hope for the constantly-thwarted Khan, whose biggest fight this year is likely to be a summer meeting with Kell Brook at Wembley.

Brook's promoter Eddie Hearn has already provisionally booked Wembley Stadium on June 4 for the clash.

Khan has also been snubbed by Floyd Mayweather in the last two years. His last fight took place in May, with the 29-year-old defending his World Boxing Council silver welterweight title with a victory over Chris Algieri in New York.

That win took the Briton's professional record to 31 wins and three defeats, with his last loss coming against Danny Garcia in July 2012.

THE GUARDIAN