Pacman insists Marquez is dangerous

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao is not looking at Juan Manuel Marquez as somebody out to cash a paycheck and retire.

Told about the overwhelming 8-1 odds in his favor, Pacquiao told the Bulletin over the weekend that Marquez remains a dangerous foe and that taking him for granted is tantamount to jumping off a cliff.

Pacquiao is facing Marquez on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and despite the odds, the Filipino star said he has to be in top shape.

“You all saw our first two fights and based on that alone, you can tell he is somebody not to be taken lightly,” said Pacquiao, who drew with Marquez in 2004 and narrowly beat the Mexican in the rematch in 2008.

While the rubber match is more than four months away, Pacquiao has already calendared the start of training camp and the site of his first month of preparation.

“We’ll go to Baguio again in September and then to Los Angeles (for the second half of training camp),” said Pacquiao, who will be risking his stature as pound-for-pound king more than the World Boxing Organization welterweight title that he will put on the line.

Pacquiao let out a hearty laugh when told that based on the odds, the only way Marquez could win against him is if Marquez is allowed to bring in a machete on top of the ring.

“As I have always said, it’s not right to be overconfident,” said Pacquiao, who was listed as the underdog the last time when he met Oscar De La Hoya in Dec. 2008, a fight so lopsided that the Golden Boy announced his retirement two months after tasting a stinging stoppage loss.

Nick Giongco, Manila Bulletin