Manny warned: Don’t take Marquez lightly

The result of the 2004 showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez only makes the 2008 rematch even more exciting for the boxing world.

Bob Arum, the ageless Top Rank president and Pacquiao’s promoter, the other day warned the Filipino superstar that he couldn’t take the Mexican champion lightly.

Arum said that while Marquez’ “legs were wobbly in the second round” as a result of three knockdowns in the first round, the Mexican “won 90 percent” of the succeeding rounds.

In an interview with Viva Sports, Arum, in the country for Pacquiao’s birthday celebration, said his ward’s failure to finish off Marquez in 2004 leaves Pacquiao with an unfinished business.

“It wasn’t a situation where Manny rallied in the end to get the draw. Manny had the guy out and couldn’t finish him off and down the stretch Marquez won every round,” Arum said.

Arum assured that the rematch, scheduled March 15 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, is going to be “a real tough fight.”

To prepare for this one, Arum said he would convince Pacquiao to train in Los Angeles for six to eight weeks, and set aside his fling with show business and all the controversies involved.

“Marquez is still a great fighter and you can’t take him for granted,” said Arum of the reigning WBC super-featherweight (130 lbs) champion.

Pacquiao is being lined up for three fights next year, starting with the Marquez bout, a planned title match against WBC lightweight (135 lbs) with David Diaz in Macau in July, and a possible one against Britain’s Ricky Hatton in Dubai in November.

Arum told Viva Sports that a friend in Dubai wants a big fight featuring Pacquiao to open up the new Atlantis Hotel.

Arum is also asking more time to promote Pacquiao in the United States for his coming fight with Marquez.

And this will only be possible if the Filipino icon is in the US.

No Pacquiao, no promotion.