Top Rank chief Bob Arum recently admitted that he does not want his no. 1 fighter, Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs), to select British sensation Amir Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) as his farewell opponent in April because the latter is not under his promotional firm.

The top three options for Pacquiao's final fight before retirement were Khan, Timothy Bradley, and Terence Crawford, with the Briton fighting under Al Haymon's stable and the last two under Arum's Top Rank.

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It is not a secret that Arum and Haymon are not in the best of terms with each other and both sides coming to an agreement would be quite difficult at this point in time.

Boxing News 24's Chris Williams noted that Crawford is "Arum's first choice" for the last Pacquiao fight as he "hasn't fought Pacquiao yet".

Moreover, the reigning WBO junior welterweight champion is also reportedly being groomed by Arum as his next top cash cow after Pacquiao permanently leaves the sport to pursue a full-time political career in his native Philippines.

However, the 83-year-old promoter clarified that it is still the Filipino icon who will the final decision regarding his farewell bout.

"Would I prefer it not to be Khan? Yes, but this is Manny's last fight," said Arum. "I have a duty to him to present him all of the options. Do I hope he doesn't pick Khan though? Of course (because I don't promote him), but I don't think he will pick Khan."

Williams said that Pacquiao will more likely pick Crawford as he is inclined to follow Arum's orders, or if it is not Bud, then Bradley would be it instead of Khan.

Meanwhile, ESPN reported that Crawford is calmly waiting and hoping that Pac-Man's decision will favor him.

"We're just waiting to hear from Manny. He is on vacation now and probably not worried about picking a fighter right now," said the 28-year-old champion.

Crawford was quick to say that if Pacquiao does not pick him, he will still do great things with his career.

"Whoever they put me in there with I'll fight. I don't pick 'em, I just fight 'em. But I would be 100 percent ready for Pacquiao. I'm ready right now. If that fight happens so be it. And if it doesn't, we go and continue on with my career. That doesn't stop my career because I don't get the Pacquiao fight," he added.

TagsBoxing News & Rumors, Boxing News & Rumors 2015, manny pacquiao, Amir Khan, Bob Arum, Terence Crawford