Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao's long-awaited fight was agreed on Friday, but welterweight contender Amir Khan believes the pound-for-pound top-ranked American has ducked him.

Khan has made no secret of his desire to take on the undefeated Mayweather or stablemate Pacquiao in the future and had been mooted as a potential opponent for either as the bout was stalled.

The Olympic silver medallist dominated Devon Alexander in December to move into contention for a title shot and believes his impressive display may have Mayweather running scared.

He told Perform: "Sometimes a very good performance like that Alexander fight, you think it is going to be good for your career, but it might make a lot of the fighters think 'I don't want to fight him'. 

"They think twice about it. They think 'Why should we fight Amir? We could probably get beat.'

"Maybe that scared Mayweather or Pacquiao. Not Pacquiao because the Pacquiao fight was really close to happening but Mayweather's probably thought fighting Pacquiao will be an easier fight. 

"He's taking an easier route but you still have to respect Mayweather for doing great in his career. 

"Obviously it is an easier route he's taken but this is a business. Boxing is a business and obviously he's going to do what makes more sense financially."

Mayweather versus Pacquiao will take place on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.