Exclusive: Pro Fighter/Paramedic Returns Home to Battle
They say timing is everything.
For pro boxer Walter “Schoolboy” Sarnoi, the last five months have been anything but ordinary and the timing insane. Having traveled the globe to train with various camps, the World Boxing Council (WBC) champion became intertwined in an unexpected journey as the novel coronavirus hit every nook and cranny in the world–including the country of Laos, where the super featherweight is currently “social distancing” from afar.
Make that, really, really far. Vientiane (the capital of Laos) is about 8,000 miles from where the Los Angeles fighter normally resides. He left the United States back in November and has watched the world turn upside down as COVID-19 took over.
I’ve been in touch with the Southern California athlete as the pandemic continued to grow. Each day has brought new uncertainties for all of us as we hunkered down, staying “Safer at Home” while self-isolating.
Sarnoi (25-4, 16 KOs) first turned pro in 2008. I met Walter around this time. His fight moniker “The Schoolboy” is attributed to his college career at Northern Michigan University and later at Azusa Pacific University. The 33-year-old continued to balance school with the sweet science and even works as a paramedic while also winning two championship straps: the WBC USNBC Super Featherweight title and the WBC Latino featherweight belt.
The Monterey Park pugilist last fought in October 2019 (when he won his second belt) and then left the States in November to train and experience other cultures.
As the world turned topsy turvy with the spread of the virus, the Thai-Laotian boxer was seemingly caught in the crosshairs of the exploding pandemic, “stuck” in Laos, far from his family in the San Gabriel Valley section of SoCal. But instead of feeling “sucker punched,” the resourceful Sarnoi has taken a strong stance in fighting back and making the most of his situation in what would surely be a harrowing plight for anyone to experience.
It has been an incredible journey as well as an emotional journey for the Asian titleholder. I’ve been corresponding with Walter since early March when he reached out to me to see how things in L.A. were going. In his zone in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), they did not have any coronavirus cases yet, but all schools and public gatherings there were just beginning to get canceled. Navigating through time zones, we stayed in touch as the worldwide health crises lit up. With lockdowns, quarantines and stricter borders, he was “stranded” in Laos wondering the best way to get home? How to safely get home? And when? His plans kept changing as the emergency remained fluid.
When the boxing champ left the U.S. in November, it was to train for a fight in Europe and to also work alongside the Lao Army National Boxing Team. Running and sparring in scorching hot weather, the comforts of L.A. and the CM Boxing Stables where he trains were literally a world away. And then the world stopped with this tragic coronavirus pandemic.
And Sarnoi was caught between a rock and hard place. Does he stay in Laos, where he felt safe from the spread of the virus? Or does he try and return home, only to land right in the hotbed of sickness and death? With the blow of no boxing bouts on the immediate horizon, the prizefighter had some tough choices to make.
It really has been a saga in Southeast Asia. What started out as a golden career opportunity has shifted into an eye-opening and startling journey for the globetrotter. Talk about “distance learning”! And there have been several twists of fate along the way that the puncher revealed during our social chats during the last three weeks.
Like any well-trained boxer, Walter knows how to think on his feet, always ready to land that one-two punch. He speaks of what the last few months have been like as his goals have been temporarily thwarted, how he had the chance to meet long-lost relatives for the very first time and what he plans to do once he lands on U.S. soil (with a prized stash of N95 masks he plans on sharing with hospitals in need)!
Michele Chong: Hi Walter, glad you’re safe and healthy over there! Let’s start by hearing about when your travels first began. Where did you go for training and why?
WS: I went to Bangkok, Thailand and Vientiane, Lao PDR. And I’ve been here since mid-November 2019. I also was sparring in training camp in Bangkok, Thailand where I was training at WBC World Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai’s training camp at Nakornloung Boxing Gym. I’m thankful to the Lao Boxing Federation President Sisouphanh Sengsavanh for inviting me and Lao boxing coaches Oudone Khanxay and Sayaphone Chanthasone for assisting me in my training while visiting my motherland.
MC: How long were you originally supposed to be there?
WS: There was no schedule for me to leave because I was here training and to fight in Europe and Asia but also to meet my family for the very first time in Vientiane, Lao PDR. After we met for the first time over dinner, I have been really blessed to understand where they came from. This generation is very lucky, we have it easy compared to those who lived in the 60s and 70s.
For the very first time in my 33 years of life, I also saw a picture of my grandparents. I was like wow, I cant believe it. They passed away in 1967 so I never had a chance to meet them. They were born in 1905-1910; my mother had me when she was 40. My mom was born in Laos and my dad is Thai.
MC: Wow, that is an amazing journey you’ve been on especially reconnecting and meeting family. You’ve been traveling now for over five months, before this COVID-19 pandemic really began to fester…What was your normal routine like then? I know you had mentioned to me that it was blazing hot over there!
WS: It is STILL blazing hot here! (Laughs) My routine was a morning training session followed by meetings and getting to know my motherland followed by another training session. I was supposed to have dinner with U.S. Ambassador to Laos, Mr. Peter Haymond, with his personal invitation before this pandemic of COVID happened but I hope we can meet very soon. I believe the blazing hotness is helping the country because the COVID “coronavirus” cannot survive in the heat. The country of Lao PDR has canceled all sporting events, public social events, marathons, and concerts.
MC: How are the locals reacting to the virus in the town you are currently in?
WS: Where I’m at in Laos, there is a total of 10 confirmed cases. The borders are closed and you cannot enter or leave the country. No flights are coming in at the moment. The government was very smart in acting fast in preventing the spread of the virus. Actually Lao’s New Year is in mid-April but the Prime Minister will continue to lockdown the country because that is wisest decision to prevent the spread of the virus. Right now, I am currently waiting for the U.S. Embassy Emergency Evacuation flight for Americans but still deciding to take that flight because I actually do feel safer in Laos. But As soon as I get back to the U.S., I will work with helping COVID-19 patients!
MC: What are your days like now? Do you have a set routine?
WS: Right now, I just took advantage of working out outside and running because it was last day to do so. April 1 was when the lockdown officially happened and when they say it’s official, they mean it. You definitely don’t want to break the law. I was in training camp and all of sudden, it just stopped, one day to the next. I was getting ready for a big fight in Europe.
MC: Have you been staying touch with all of your family, friends and fellow fighters?
WS: Yes! Social media is limited out here so I use phone apps like WhatsApp, Line, WeChat to stay in touch with everyone. Crazy thing about my stay here is I’ve been meeting people from countries I would never ever get to meet in the U.S.
MC: What is your plan to return to the U.S.? I know it’s been difficult securing a flight or navigating a boat back (and a six-week journey on a ship to the U.S. that you had mentioned), right?
WS: Yes (laughs). There was an option of taking a six-week “shipping boat” to come back to the U.S. but that would’ve been something crazy! And maybe some seasickness (laughs). I actually wanted to come back and work with helping COVID-19 patients either in Chicago or New York. I don’t want to go back home in case of a risk spreading the virus to my family/friends. Boxing is everything to me but at this point in time, no one can really train or fight.
MC: In regards to helping patients, I’ve also seen you on the job (and in person) as a paramedic at the Santa Anita Race Track. I’m thinking your medical background has been beneficial especially during this time?
WS: Yes, it has. Everywhere I’ve been traveling around the world, I have been using my emergency paramedic skills whether it deals with taking a break in another country, traveling for business, or boxing, it happens that I end up using my skills one way or another. It’s been crazy what I have seen in Asia these past few months but I’m real lucky to be alive. Americans are very lucky and some don’t realize how good we have it. I miss working with Symon’s Ambulance though at the track, specifically.
MC: And regarding your boxing career, what were your short-term and long-term goals before this worldwide health crisis?
WS: I have already won two WBC titles. I plan to add another strap to my collection. At the moment, I want to help the world pandemic right now as this world is short staffed on medical personnel and then focus on boxing.
MC: When do you think (or hope) that the sport of boxing will continue?
WS: I pray that the sport of boxing continues because to a lot of us fighters, it is our sanctuary, our safe haven. No boxing, no life! (Laughs)
MC: And finally, what would you like to say to your fans, friends and family?
WS: Thank you to my friends/family back home in the USA for always supporting my dreams, My sponsors back home, the best pharmacy compounding company, Harbor Compounding, Happenstance Coffee in Seattle, INTA Gems Jewelry in Los Angeles. Great friendships I have developed. I am very thankful to have met my friend in Laos in 2007, Mr. Jim Lee-Angkham, Xiophong Lee and Angkham Hotel and family for sponsoring my stay in Laos. Because of them, it gave me the time to get in touch with my family. Also, Angkham Sports and wellness for helping me stay in shape with my stay, Thongsamay Newchalearnh and family for making it easier in understanding the culture here, supporting my goals. Lao food is wonderful! (Laughs) My family in Thailand and Laos (Oupathana Family). You will here that name very soon!
As we signed off and I continued to add to the story, sudden new plans came to fruition.
And the latest news is a GAME CHANGER!
On Thursday, April 9, Walter shared the great news that he has FINALLY secured a flight back to the States, albeit circumvented through Australia, Hawaii and San Francisco, California (still around 400 miles and six hours from Los Angeles).
MC: How are you getting back to the U.S.?
WS: I’m getting on the last evacuation private charter flight organized bt the Department of State from Mr. Trump’s order to evacuate all U.S. citizens to come back home. I fly back to the U.S. on Saturday and will be in San Francisco (with a layover in Hawaii). After I find my way back to L.A., I’ve signed up to get deployed to New York or Chicago.
MC: That’s great! Will you be quarantined at all?
WS: No, medical workers need to go directly to work!
MC: The N95 masks are in short supply here. I know you were lucky to get ahold of some through 3M. Will you be able to bring all the boxes back with you?
WS: YES, I can only fit whatever I can in my luggage so I will be leaving my clothes here in Laos and coming back with nothing but masks!
MC: Okay, good. Stay safe and good luck in your travels!
In just a few short hours, Walter Sarnoi will make the long trek home (if all goes as planned). His story sounds like movie, doesn’t it? An intense drama with an international plot nobody could have predicted.
With all of combat sports temporarily on hold, the pro fighter will lend his focus to the medical field. He’s now got a platform to really reach out and help others in dire need. With his “precious cargo,” a cache of 3M N95 masks, the boxer/paramedic will join the ranks of other healthcare professionals (true heroes) battling the virus on in the trenches and hoping to knockout COVID-19 very soon !
KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT, EVERYONE.