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SAN FRANCISCO 鈥� 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.

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鈥檚 not even close to the cost of a ringside seat to the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

Who is So backing? The Pacman, of course.

鈥淚 wish him well, and we鈥檙e rooting for him,鈥� So told me. 鈥淚 hope he will win.鈥�

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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 鈥渢urn-out-the-lights鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 the possibility of a rematch.

PacMay II?

Naturally, considering all the money this fight will generate, it will happen.

I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 a way to contain the greed that is the only guaranteed outcome of this fight.

Boxing鈥檚 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鈥檚 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

(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

r

$80 million

: $500,000 on Pacquiao

87 percent on Pacquaio

Potential number of ardently loyal Pacquiao fans:

Number of Filipinos in America: 3.4 million people, 2^nd largest Asian group, 19.7 percent of Asian American population (2010 Census)

Number of Filipinos in Philippines.98.39 million people

: 2.4 million people

: $75 million

Amount in back taxes IRS wants from Pacquaio鈥檚 2006-2010 earning: $18.3 million

: 5

: 2 months in 2012.

: 4

: 0

But hey, the fight鈥檚 economic benefit to Las Vegas, according to Las Vegas Convention Bureau: $150-200 million; 300,000 visitors.

So what鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.

Contact him at www.amok.com

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