‘No Marquez blunder in fight versus Rios’

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao hopes he would not commit the same mistake that turned what had looked like a resounding victory into a shattering defeat against archrival Juan Manuel Marquez last year as he sets out for his bounce-back fight against Brandon Rios next month in Macau.

In a recent interview transcript published by boxingscene.com, the Filipino boxing icon said he would take his time this time and take extra caution against Rios in their showdown on Nov. 24.

The fighting congressman had wanted to knock Marquez out so bad in their fight last December and attacked his rival without let-up in the fateful sixth round that left himself open for a counter.

Pacquiao ran straight into Marquez’s perfectly timed counter and was knocked out cold at the end of the round, registering the worst loss of his career.

He was beating the hell out of Marquez in that round until the devastating blow came.

Against Rios, Pacquiao said it would be a different story this time.

“I never go looking for the knockout, but you can be sure after getting careless with Juan Manuel Marquez, I won’t be setting myself up for getting knocked out,” he said.

Pacquiao stressed that he will be not rushing things against Rios, who is also capable of dishing out powerful blows and usually throws punches in volume.

“With age comes maturity and with maturity comes patience,” he added.

But this doesn’t mean a knockout victory is out of the question for Pacquiao.

“I will not rush in looking to knock Rios out, but rest assured if the opportunity presents itself I will go for it,” said the Filipino.

Pacquiao and Rios will clash at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Macao Resort in Macau, China.