MANILA, Philippines – Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum believes Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao can recover from his devastating knockout loss to rival Juan Manuel Marquez and once again become one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Marquez and Pacquiao fought each other for the fourth time last December, and it was the Mexican who wound up on top after knocking out the “Pacman” with just one second to go in the sixth round.

Pacquiao was motionless for a couple of minutes on the canvas and had to undergo tests following the match.

But in an interview with Boxing Scene, Arum said he is confident Pacquiao can bounce back despite the devastating nature of his defeat.

“I’ve seen fighters recover from that, and it didn’t affect them at all,” Arum said. “Because remember, he didn’t get beat up.”

“He didn’t get beat into submission and then get knocked out. It was one punch and he was through,” he added. “He didn’t take punishment.”

Even though Marquez owns the only decisive victory in their saga, Pacquiao still has two official, if controversial, wins over the Mexican. Their first fight in 2004 ended in a draw.

A fifth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez is in play for September 2013.