The sporting week in numbers

Kiwi boxer David Tua will give up a lot of height when he meets 2.02m Russian Alexander Ustinov in Hamilton later this month. Photo / Dean Purcell.

The sporting week in numbers, compiled by APNZ

2 - After two seasons, two championships and two club MVP awards, Cedric Jackson today announced he would not return to the New Zealand Breakers. The American has long held the ambition of returning to the NBA and, while that has yet to eventuate, he looks set to take up a lucrative offer in Europe.

3 - New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was surprised his $3 tip on a $74 takeaway order from a San Diego restaurant made headlines in the US this week. Brees, who is set to earn nearly US$100 million during his five-year contract, said he would normally tip 20 per cent for a sit-down meal.

35 - The Warriors have conceded 74 tries this season but it's their leaky right-side defence which has been the issue. Thirty-five tries have come down the right side, the worst mark in the NRL and the Warriors will try to fix the holes when they host the Sharks at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland tomorrow (Sat).

24 - With his team one loss away from giving up their Ashes challenge, Australian captain Michael Clarke hit his 24th test century to take command of the third test at Old Trafford. After the first day, the tourists were on 303-3 as England struggled to find an answer for Clarke, who ended play on 125no.

2.16 - Kiwi boxer David Tua will give up a lot of height when he meets 2.02m Russian Alexander Ustinov in Hamilton later this month so he is warming up for the bout by sparring with 2.16m (7 foot 1 inch) American Julius Long. Height runs in Long's family, with four brothers having played in the NBA.

17 - `If you're good enough, you're old enough' is often used when youngsters are given a chance in professional sport and the same could be applied to the newest Wellington Phoenix recruit. Alex Rufer has just turned 17 but it was announced today he will join the rebuilding club on a three-year contract.

70,000 - The Louis Vuitton Cup opening was one part Luna Rossa probably should have attended. The Italian syndicate were hit with a US$70,000 fine after failing to show for the launch, with half going to the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation - a charity honouring the British sailor killed in training.

13:53 - It would be easy to presume that the Chiefs, on the brink of back-to-back titles, are the dominant team in Super Rugby, but one stat paints a different picture. The Chiefs won the least amount of possession of any team this season, enjoying the ball for only 13 minutes and 53 seconds per game.

26 - Few people around these parts will care that the Caribbean Premier League got underway this week but Black Cap James Franklin made an unbeaten 26 and Martin Guptill hit 32 to help the Guyana Amazon Warriors to a 19-run win over the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel in Guyana yesterday.

647 - New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez sits fifth all time with 647 career home runs, but he might not hit one more. The 38-year-old, who has previously admitted to using steroids, is mired in another performance enhancing drug scandal and could receive a life ban from Major League Baseball.