LAS VEGAS  --  Either by knockout or decision, Manny Pacquiao is certain about one thing on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) -- he’s going to beat the hell out of Juan Manuel Marquez and retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

“I know what people want from me and what they want to see now,” said Pacquiao 48 hours before he faces Marquez in the ring again at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the trilogy of one of boxing’s most intriguing rivalries.

“They want to see me knock out Marquez because it is exciting for boxing when there are knockouts.”

Universally recognized today as the face of boxing, Pacquiao, 32, does have the ability to knock Marquez out, having sent the proud Mexican warrior to the canvas four times in their two previous meetings, three of them taking place in the opening round of their 2004 showdown when both fighters were still campaigning in the featherweight division.

What more now that Marquez had moved up in weight and sealed this third meeting with the ‘Pacman’ at a catch weight of 144 lbs.

“I have trained very hard and I have a good plan. I believe I will knock him out,” said the boxing superstar from the Philippines, who’s a heavy 9-1 pick in all sports book here.

But Pacquiao, who’s also a congressman from the province of Sarangani, doesn’t mind winning the bout, set for 12 rounds, by decision.

“Even without the knockout, I believe I can win the fight,” he said.

That is not to malign Marquez’s skill as a boxer, being one of the best technical fighters ever to come out of Mexico and trained by the venerated Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Beristain.

In the words of Pacquiao himself, “he (Marquez) has a lot of experience. And I respect him.”

“I believe he will fight toe-to-toe.  I’m expecting him to be at his strongest,” said Pacquiao of his challenger, who’s fighting in his heaviest weight yet since losing a lopsided decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2009 match also fought at the catch weight of 144.

Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO) beat Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO) in their 2008 rematch, scoring a 12-round split decision many believed the Filipino clinched after decking the ageing Mexican with a solid left in the third round.

Their first encounter was a draw, notwithstanding the three knockdowns Pacquiao delivered in a scorching first round.

“Yes, those fights were close. This fight will not be close,” vowed the Filipino boxing icon.

“This is our last fight,” he added. “It’s going to be the Fight of the Year.”