Reports from the Philippines suggest the Hatton camp are to pay step-aside money to Malignaggi in order to wriggle out of their contract and take the more lucrative option of an Autumn showdown with Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, widely accepted to have assumed pole position at the top of the sport's pound-for-pound list following Floyd Mayweather's retirement, challenges David Diaz for his WBC lightweight title on June 28.

Hatton's lawyer Gareth Williams said: "We have not spoken to anybody about a fight with Pacquiao. Ricky is contractually obliged to fight Paulie Malignaggi in November and that is what he will do.

"A fight with Pacquiao is something that has been mooted for next year and it is something we would be keen to do. But it is not going to happen this year. Ricky's only focus is on Malignaggi."

Despite both Hatton and Malignaggi failing to impress on the same City of Manchester Stadium card last month, their meeting is still generally accepted as the clash between the two best 140lbs fighters in the world.

But Williams admitted the venue for the fight remained far from finalised, with the more historic and accessible Madison Square Garden competing against the bigger bucks of the Las Vegas casinos.

Williams added: "Ricky has made no secret of the fact that his choices are not just about cash. That's why he chose to fight in Manchester when he would have made more money going back to the US.

"Vegas offers the big money but Ricky has never fought in New York and has always stated his desire to do so. It would be a great experience and one he would be able to share with thousands of fans."