Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has hinted that the Filipino fighter will opt to fight Juan Manuel Marquez again, rather than face Floyd Mayweather Jr.

After a draw and two controversial wins for Pacquiao, Marquez finally beat his rival, knocking him out with an overhand right in the sixth round of their December 9 bout.

Arum has suggested that a fifth fight with Marquez is the preferred option, and also conceded that a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather may never happen.

"I think we're going to do another fight with Juan Manuel Marquez," Arum told TMZ. "That was a great fight.

"[Pacquiao] ran into a really good right hand, we'll see what happens next time."

When asked whether Pacquiao could fight Mayweather before he retires, Arum replied: "Probably not, but life goes on."

Pacquiao has now lost two fights in a row, after a controversial split decision loss to Timothy Bradley in June.