Manny Pacquiao of Philippines speaks during a news conference after his WBC super featherweight boxing title fight against Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada March 15, 2008. Pacquiao won by split decision.REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

Newly-crowned WBC super featherweight king Manny Pacquiao said he has no problem facing vanquished Juan Manuel Marquez in yet another rematch to prove that he indeed conquered the Mexican champion.

"It’s not true that I don’t want a rematch. Anytime. Even without gloves, I’m willing to face him outside the ring," Pacquiao told ABS-CBN News.

The General Santos city native scored a split decision over his Mexican rival after 12 gruelling rounds last Saturday in Las Vegas (the fight was aired Sunday morning in Manila). He even sent Marquez to the canvas in Round 3.

"It’s a hard fight, we’re both hurt," said Pacquiao.

Marquez, however, said that he is the rightful owner of the WBC belt since he was more "aggressive."

"I won and people know that. I’ve thrown more punches, I’m more aggressive," he said.

When asked for comment, Pacquiao said with a hearty laugh: "He should knock me out first before winning."

For Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum, a rematch is possible but not soon.

"If you put some air under it, it will do well, i agree. But you gotta put air under it... that's all. All I'm talking about is the timing," he said.

Pacquiao is planning to climb weight at 135 pounds. Promoters are grooming WBC lightweight champion David Diaz as his next opponent.

Online boxing forums, meanwhile, were filled by rejoicing Pacquiao fans, even defending the new champ from critics.

"Imagine 3 future Mexican Hall of Famers got knocked down for a total of 11 times (Erik Morales 5 times, Marco Antonio Barrera 2 times, Juan Manuel Marquez-4 times) while no one ever got close in decking our Pacman, Manny is simply the best!" a Pacquiao fan with the user name "Jordan" said on the forum at www.mannypacquiao.ph.

"To sensitive Marquez supporters of any race or background, face it, your man was not awarded the decision! He lost, FAIRLY JUDGED AND SQUARE. The judges that scored it for Pacquiao also believed it was close fight, based on their score cards. They are going to fight in the future again anyways, so what is the big deal?? Live with it," "Hungfut" said in the same forum.

Some of the fans admitted that the scoring was neck-and-neck and that the decision could have gone either way.

"I knew it that it will be a close fight, Marquez was the champion and have (sic) great counter," said "Prince" at abs-cbnNEWS.com's online poll.

"Pacquiao and Marquez had a good fight. Marquez did his best to defend his title but he had a bad luck in Round 3, if Manny didn't knock him down in that round im sure he retain(ed) his crown," said "Bohemyo" in the same poll.

Meanwhile, although most of them scored the fight for Marquez, local boxing analysts said they were not surprised that Pacquiao pulled off a win.

"When the decision came out, I wasn’t surprised," said Ed Picson, a sports columnist for Manila Bulletin.

He said the knockdown and the effect of their punches might have been factors for Pacquiao’s win.

"When Pacquiao hit hard, Marquez got crossed eyed. Pacquiao got hurt when he absorbed Marquez’s power punches. But he was never on the verge of going down," said Picson.

Boxing analyst Ed Tolentino earlier said Marquez "did just enough" to defend his WBC super featherweight belt from Pacquiao.

Tolentino also thought that the two boxers switched roles during the fight, Pacquiao being the counter-puncher and Marquez the aggressor.

However, Tolentino said Marquez "played it safe too much" in the end, which cost him his crown.

"Unfortunately Marquez played it safe too much. He decided to settle in a particular mode. He thought, ‘I might as well box him because I’m already winning,' " he said.

IBF and IBO flyweight champion Nonito Donaire he had Marquez ahead by one point.

"I have a lot of respect for Manny, you know. But I'm not sugarcoating something for somebody just to gain people's favor. I just scored it round by round... not knowing who was winning the fight. And so i tallied the total 'til the end of the fight, and that's what I have, 114-113," he said.

Ronnie Nathanielz, columnist for Manila Standard Today, said even Pacquiao was in doubt at first on who won the fight.

"Pacquiao himself if you look at the television, if you look at the expression on his face, he was concerned he was not sure at all. And Marquez looked so confident that he had won the fight. If Pacquiao’s reaction showed anything, it was he was not sure," said Nathanielz.

He said at best, Pacquaio should have got a draw.

"To be honest with you, I don’t mind if the Pacquiao supporters will get angry, I thought the best result would be a draw," said Nathanielz.

Another rematch would definitely settle the matter, he said. With a report from Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com