Chess master So’s woes, Pac/May and the numbers
SAN FRANCISCO — When I talked to Wesley So, the American Filipino chess champion during the U.S. Chess Championships in St.Louis, he was fighting his biological mom Elenora over his chess winnings
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The argument even caused a physical altercation outside the chess center. It was enough to distract So, who lost four matches and placed third in the tournament.
The difference between being No.1 in chess in the U.S. cost So $25,000.
But that’s not even close to the cost of a ringside seat to the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.
Who is So backing? The Pacman, of course.
“I wish him well, and we’re rooting for him,” So told me. “I hope he will win.”
Early in his training for the fight, Pacquiao was seen playing chess at his training camp, and maybe some of the things So learned to become No. 8 in the world could help Pacquiao.
So has acknowledged that careless, aggressive play has contributed to his recent losses, whereas playing stress-free, patient and focused has helped him win.
Those chess tips could definitely aid Pacquiao in the fight.
Carelessness would only advantage Mayweather, known for his counterpunching.
It’s been suggested that the left-handed Pacquaio may leave himself open, as he attempts a straight-left to Mayweather.
If Pacquiao overreaches, Mayweather would have a chance to counter with his straight-right all night long, say analysts of the sweet science.
But Pacquaio’s always been more creative, quick on his feet, always moving to create new angles of attack. A straight left from the Pacman never comes at you like a straight from your average champion.
And though they talk about Pacquiao no longer having the “turn-out-the-lights” punching power that he displayed against Ricky Hatton, Pacquiao did knock down a bigger Chris Algieri six times in his last time out in November.
Pacquiao could catch Mayweather by surprise.
Unfortunately, I think that’s the only way Manny can win.
Leave it to the judges, and it could be the first Bradley fight all over again.
But, at least, the there’s the possibility of a rematch.
PacMay II?
Naturally, considering all the money this fight will generate, it will happen.
I don’t think there’s a way to contain the greed that is the only guaranteed outcome of this fight.
Boxing’s tale of the tape may show Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to be of modest size.
But the two fighters are super heavyweights when it comes to the historical numbers being generated by the fight.
And then there are the numbers associated with the boxer’s personal affairs.
I call it the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Highest ticket price listed on secondary market: $351,005.25
Typical ringside ticket listed on web: 75,000
Typical nosebleed seat on secondary market: $3,500-$4,500
Drop in average prices as we approach fight time: 16-29 percent (depending on seat location).
Pay per view cost: $99.99
Live gate on fight night at the 16,500 seat MGM site: $72 million.
Foreign rights to the fight: $35 million
Sponsorships: $10 million
Pay-per-view: $300 million (3 million purchases @$100)
Estimated splits and payday for fighters:
Floyd Mayweather: 60 percent.
Manny Pacquiao: 40 percent
Payday for Mayweather: In excess of $180 million
Payday for Pacquaio: In excess of $120 million
Per capita income in the Philippines: $2,765 a year
Estimated wagering on fight: $80 million
Largest single bet on fight at MGM: $500,000 on Pacquiao
Betting money at Westgate Superbook Las Vegas: 87 percent on Pacquaio
Potential number of ardently loyal Pacquiao fans:
Number of Filipinos in America: 3.4 million people, 2nd largest Asian group, 19.7 percent of Asian American population (2010 Census)
Number of Filipinos in Philippines.98.39 million people
Number of Filipinos forced to work overseas to make a decent wage: 2.4 million people
Amount in back taxes Philippine government wants from Pacquiao: $75 million
Amount in back taxes IRS wants from Pacquaio’s 2006-2010 earning: $18.3 million
Number of convictions for Mayweather on battery and domestic violence since 2001: 5
Jail time served in Nevada by Mayweather on a plea deal to avoid felony charges on wife battering: 2 months in 2012.
Number of NFL players suspended in 2014 for domestic violence: 4
Number of suspensions by Nevada boxing officials to Mayweather: 0
But hey, the fight’s economic benefit to Las Vegas, according to Las Vegas Convention Bureau: $150-200 million; 300,000 visitors.
So what’s a few battered wives?
An astonishing numbers mixed bag of numbers indicating how the world will gladly seek to self-medicate with entertaining distractions. Or how filthy lucre motivates all.
Oh, and here’s one last astonishing number.
Freddie Roach predicts Pacquiao by KO in 9.
Not sure about the round, but I believe in the end game result in this human chess match.
Award-winning American Filipino journalist Emil Guillermo writes and opines from California.
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