Amir Khan believes Floyd Mayweather Jnr is thinking twice about taking him on because the American welterweight champion is worried about getting beaten.

The British star had been earmarked to fight Mayweather earlier this month in Las Vegas, but the 37-year-old instead chose Marcos Maidana.

Having seen the pound-for-pound king take his record to 46-0 by beating Maidana by majority decision after a thrilling contest, Khan – who eased past Luis Collazo on the undercard – fears he could be snubbed again for a dream title shot.

He may find out more next month if Mayweather visits Khan’s hometown Bolton as part of a scheduled tour of public appearances.

“Maybe he is coming here because he is looking at a fight with me in the future, but I don’t know why he is coming to Bolton,” said Khan. “I think if he didn’t know me I don’t think he’d have heard of Bolton so there must be some interest there from him, but will he do it? I don’t know.

“Maybe he is just p*****g me off. I think he is just trying to get under my skin, really.

“It is a fight I really want, but I think time might be running out.

“You always fear a little bit that the night may not happen, but then I think to myself ‘at least the world knows I wanted it to happen’.

“I really do believe I have the style to beat him. I don’t think he is scared of me, but he has said he is scared of getting beat. That is the only thing he fears and I think he sees something in my style which would cause him a lot of problems.

“I think he is thinking twice about taking the fight. He is thinking, ‘Do I really need to fight Amir Khan? No I can fight someone else’. I think he is trying to avoid me.”

Despite his own desire, Khan says Mayweather is the only person who will decide what happens.

“He is one of those guys who likes to be his own boss, he likes things his way,” added the 27-year-old. “Even if the world says ‘fight Amir Khan next’, if he says ‘no’ then it won’t happen.

“If he’s not ready or confident then the fight is not going to happen. If it never happens I will be upset because he is the best out there.

“I want that big fight before I even consider retiring. Not for the money, but just so I can know myself that I fought the best.”