Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao admits that he salivated at the idea of facing Juan Manuel Marquez for a fifth time.

From 2004 to 2012, Pacquiao fought Marquez a total of four times.

Their first encounter ended in a controversial twelve round draw.

The next two fights saw Pacquiao win close and some felt controversial decisions.

In the fourth meeting, however, Pacquiao was dropped early and then knocked out cold in the sixth round.

After suffering the loss, Pacquiao tried his best secure another fight with his Mexican rival. 

Marquez wanted a boatload of money for a fifth encounter, but eventually had zero interest, regardless of the money, in facing the Filipino star.

"I was begging my promoter to get me another [fight with Marquez], I wanted another, but he [Marquez] withdrew [from the discussions]," said Pacquiao to ESPN Deportes.

While some felt he was taking an unnecessary risk, Pacquiao does not regret his decision to face Marquez for a fourth time.

“I don't feel bad because I feel like that was a great experience in my career. This is boxing, you cannot always keep winning, sometimes you lose," said Pacquiao.

Last Saturday night, the 42-year-old Pacquiao returned from a two-year layoff and was outboxed over twelve rounds by WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas.

It may have been the final fight of Pacquiao's Hall of Fame career.

“It makes me happy to be an inspiration to many people, and I want people at the end of my career to remember me not only for being a champion in the ring but also a champion outside the ring," Pacquiao said.

"What I have achieved in boxing goes beyond what I ever imagined. Fighting in eight different divisions, being a champion in four decades, I am happy that in my life I was able to contribute to the history of boxing."