Chinese fighter in Macao duel victory brought the world's top gaming market is a step closer to another challenge in Las Vegas staple Sin City: Big time boxing dominance.
Not long ago eclipsed as the world's top Las Vegas, Macau, Las Vegas is now holding a boxing contest, that is known to add to its charm.
Tiny Chinese enclave organize a series of high-profile bout with an Asian star this year: a pair of two-time Olympic gold medalist China's Zou Shiming and Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao.
Chow made his professional debut in April, at The Venetian Macao Resort won "gold" fake punches. He returned on Saturday night series of the second batch, a unanimous decision defeat at the Cotai Arena in his Mexican opponent.
Zou's rise has helped boost the popularity among fans of boxing in China, the sport was banned until the mid-1980s. Chinese fans, mostly weak six preliminary "The undercard" fight, stand up for the main event, called "Jia you!" - China "Let's go!" - And their feet stomping Zou played six lightweight tournament with Jesus Ortega.
Now, all eyes are focused on the Cotai "Gods" in November, Pacquiao's main event and Zou in the undercard. Organizers said that this will be the largest ever held in China's professional boxing match. It will also be the first time since 2006, the Filipino superstar outside the United States, he has lost his last two bouts.
Boxing's rise is another reminder that in Macau, the global gambling industry's center of gravity has shifted to the East, thanks to an increase in revenue in China. Former Portuguese colony, now a semi-autonomous region, China in 2006 surpassed that of Las Vegas Strip as the world's most lucrative gambling market. Last year it inclined $ 3.6 billion U.S. dollars in gambling revenue, more than six times the Gaza Strip. However, the authorities hope to Macau than gambling, known as a way to put a wider range of tourist destination city, which has a lingering reputation for seediness and corruption, look at big events.
Zou famous coach Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, leaving no doubt that the focus is how to change the world of boxing.
"I think I've got a new home," he said in a reporter conference, mentioned last week in Venice, billionaire Sheldon Adelson's Macau casino arm's flagship Casino Resort, Sands China Ltd company "Macau has become the capital of the boxing world."
For the promoters of the highest grade, it was a chance to get a good start so that movement in China's vast, untapped market. Boxing was banned under the Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong too violent too Western. It was not until 1986 ban.
The movement in China is far less popular football or basketball, but the highest level boss Bob Arum new fans to see a huge potential market. His plan is the key to Zou became a celebrity after China at the Beijing Olympics to win a gold medal, and the other at the London Olympics.
Zou "Who has power to follow Chinese sports people," Arum said. "Who saw his last fight China the number of people is quite remarkable, anywhere between 1 million to 2 million households in the survey, we've done on the basis of which is excellent, most countries No, even a lot of people. "
Macau fights, spotlights, scantily clad "Ring Girl" and announcer Michael Buffer, the most famous is his mantra, a Las Vegas-style production on the highest level of "Let's ready to rumble!" Arum said Macau Fair amount of production cost of $ 500,000, the same contest in Las Vegas.
Arum said he envisions the highest level of the organization 60 boxing shows a year, which is ultimately held in Macau five fifty-six year. In contrast, being held in Las Vegas this year, more than a dozen pro bouts.
Bob Arum, the Chinese Boxing Pay-Per-profit potential, in the United States pales Awards
Zou Combatant Status CCTV. Arum want to offer pay-per-Pacquiao fight, but he said, lining up a deal with potential partners have been more difficult than expected. China's broadcasting industry dominated by state-run radio and premium cable and satellite TV channels rarely play a role.
One idea has been provided in November in China smart phone $ 5 struggle. This is a small part of the $ 50 - $ 60 general charging cable in the United States to see live rounds, but with more than 100 million people in a country the absolute number of potential viewers will make up the difference.
"We want to make payment in China, but we are not anywhere near ready to do it, this is something for the next year and the year after," he said.
"Once we get something, it may be a monster," Arum said.
Even if China does not pay-off and Macao will remain a viable boxing venue, because for non-US fighters, this will be a bigger purse. They will not have to pay the United States about 40% of the tax on their income.
This will be a major incentive for people, such as Manny Pacquiao, he would in a $ 25 - $ 300 thousand yuan, Arum said he expects the fight from November to earn a lower rate in the Philippines or Macau The.
Fight night greatest upside, however, may be the casino. Directly benefit from more tourists, which will help increase gaming revenue. Pacquiao fight will be a particularly good opportunity to catch the big spenders in mainland China VIP gamblers in Macau casino industry booster.
It also gives the casino another way to circumvent the advertising and promotion to the casino with the Chinese mainland ban restrictions.
"Without a doubt, help to promote boxing Macau Venetian Sands China or brand in China, said:" The gaming research director Aaron Fischer, brokerage firm CLSA (CLSA) Asia Pacific market. "Casino marketing in China is illegal, therefore, betting the company will indirectly promote sales of non-gaming facilities, such as hotels, convention or like a boxing match in a variety of event marketing integrated resort."
 



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