Exclusive: Balancing the Gym and the Race Track
Boxing champ Walter Sarnoi (22-4, 14 KOs) is used to lacing up the gloves during his many battles since first turning pro in 2008.
Now he’s also putting on medical gloves when he works in his second career as a paramedic in Southern California. Whether his tools of the trade are made of latex or leather, the prizefighter known as the “School Boy” (Northern Michigan University) always gives it 100%.
I recently caught up with the new World Boxing Council (WBC) champion at the famed Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, California. I was attending the 2019 Tokyo City Cup and Japan Family Day celebration when I ran into the pro boxer whom I first met over a decade ago.
The legendary field at Santa Anita has made headlines recently and has been under the gun due to the death of several horses on the track; it was announced today that a task force will be investigating the track where 23 thoroughbreds have died since December. It is a horrible tragedy that will hopefully be rectified soon.
But at Sunday’s event, the community focus was this Japanese Cultural Festival where the food, culture, and entertainment of the country was showcased. The crowd was large as local families and visitors from Japan all converged in one place for this annual bash. There were sumo wrestlers, tea ceremonies, origami and Japanese calligraphy demos, pony rides, carnival games, bounce houses, food trucks and more. It was a beautiful warm day in the Southland and a nice time catching up with Walter, his supervisor Juan Espinoza and boxing’s Steve Harpst.
We toured the paddock and checked out the jockey’s area where the legends of the sport gained their fame in this “high stakes” environment.
It does seem ironic that a professional fighter (who tries to knock out his opponents and inflict damage) is also a working paramedic, thinking on his feet and ready to save lives at a moment’s notice when emergencies arise.
This atmosphere may seem extremely different than the world of boxing but there are some similarities that a slugger would be use to: the competitive spirit of the diminutive but tough jockeys who push to make weight, the colorful racing silks (much like the satin trunks of robes of a pugilist), the intense training of the horses and athletes, the business side of the horse owners (much like boxing promoters), the bloodshed left on the field (or on the canvas) and the victory lap and purse you receive when declared the winner.
And just like in boxing, the long shots and underdogs can steal the show.
Through the years, Walter Sarnoi, 32, has dug his heels in the dirt and continues to keep his nose to the grindstone, always working, always trying to learn and better himself as he kept his eye on the prize–a shot at a title.
And last October, he got that chance, winning the interim WBC Latino Featherweight title against Luis Lugo in Jalisco, Mexico. He also fought in March of this year and he hopes for more championship bouts in the future.
I met the fighter years ago and watched his pro debut in 2008 at a Thompson Boxing show in Corona. While Sarnoi does have four defeats on his pro record, his spirited personality always says “don’t count me out.” He’s kind of like a “Jack of All Trades,” learning new skills while globe trotting along the way.
During our interview, he reveals the road has been rocky with bumps and hills he has battled to conquer–and it’s all made him stronger. Win, place, or show, Walter is confident that his hard work will pay off.
The San Gabriel Valley hitter still has many goals he’d like to achieve. Whether it be in the boxing world or the horse racing universe, place your bets on Team Sarnoi for the win.
In my exclusive interview, hear what it’s like as the WBC titllist balances the gym, the track and live boxing broadcasts, how traveling the world has affected him and why he happily tells his “haters” thank you!
Michele Chong: Hi Walter! Great seeing you at the track. And congrats again on winning a WBC belt. Talk about your recent victories and what winning this title means to you?
Walter Sarnoi: Thank you! It is truly an honor to be interviewed with your publication. Winning my WBC title means so much to me because ever since I was as kid growing up, I saw legendary fighters like Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Oscar de la Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Floyd Mayweather all have their “Green WBC Belts.” To win one of them was a dream come true because it’s not all about the fighting, it has a lot to do with the business of the sport.
Winning this title was not easy. Aside from getting the WBC to approve and sanction my title fight, it had to be against tough competition. I fought a very strong puncher in Luis Lugo from Sinaloa, Mexico. The experience I had helped me overcome some obstacles in the fight to win by knockout, despite getting rocked in the first round (laughs).
My recent win was against Edgar Puerta, a former WBC Champion (Silver). In order for me to move up in the WBC rankings and fight for more WBC titles, I need to fight tougher competition and be more prepared.
So I feel very blessed and thankful to the WBC family and the President, Mauricio Sulaiman, for giving me the opportunity to fight for their title. I know winning this title is another step forward to winning the “big title” that everyone wants which is the world title.
MC: You’re also a paramedic. How do you balance both of your careers?
WS: Yes! It’s been a long time coming for me to find something that works with my boxing schedule. My sponsors have also played a big role in helping compensate for my income that I need when I take time off work to train for a fight.
My supervisor and job know that when I train for fights, I would need to take time off to train for a fight, so I am very blessed they work with my schedule. Outside of work, I’m always active and keep myself very busy…sometimes working the TV telecasts for a boxing fight as a translator. (Laughs)
MC: What’s been your biggest challenge in having two jobs?
WS: For me, it’s balancing the time for training and workouts. If I know I’m working the next day, I will do extra in my workout the day before or wake up early the next day to get a workout right before I go into work.
MC: And do you solely work at Santa Anita?
WS: Actually, since I got started with broadcast debut on HBO Boxing as a translator, I have also been blessed with translator assignments speaking different languages for different broadcast assignments.
MC: You’re stablemates with Carlos Morales. Tell us about your trainer and gym.
WS: Yes, great guy, family man, and fighter. When it’s time to train and handle business, that’s what we do. I enjoy being around a professional environment and stables of fighters that are also training to win their fights. I train with pros Seniesa Estrada, Art Saakyan, and Sergio “Latin Snake” Mora (when he has a fight).
My coach Dean Campos (a man of few words), I call him the “Mad Scientist” because he is a man of a few words (laughs). He is one of the most intelligent coaches I have ever had. If you are a thinking fighter, defensive, and a smart one, he is the trainer for you. As I’ve gotten older, my goal is to be smarter in choosing my battles. In other words, fight smart and don’t use a lot of energy.
MC: Seeing you at the race track was great! How long have you been working with Symons?
WS: Thanks!! It has been truly an honor to be there because I couldn’t ask for more. Great staff, people, and environment. I’ve almost been there two years now. It took me a while to break the “ice” but everything is cool now (laughs).
MC: It was also nice meeting Juan Espinoza. He’s so supportive of your boxing career. What do your coworkers think about working alongside a professional boxer?
WS: Yes! But before that, he is my senior paramedic, so when I’m given orders, I follow them (chuckles). As a paramedic, I’m always learning from my seniors with more experience than me so I have the opportunity to get better in what I do at providing a service in helping people.
My co-workers know I fight and compete, but I really just try to be me. Aside from being a boxer, when I am working, I need to make sure I am on my “A Game” for little to no mistakes on the job.
MC: Besides your two jobs, what are your other interests? I’ve seen that you’ve been traveling the world!
WS: Ha! Yes! I love traveling. Just hit my 25th country count. For me, it’s a beautiful thing to meet people and make new friends from all over the world. With technology now, it helps me to keep up with all my friends I’ve made all around the world. I’ve had the opportunity to see some amazing things in my life. I plan to keep an open mind in whichever countries I travel to. If you need any travel tips, I got you!
MC: And finally, you are a proud Thai-American who is multi-lingual. You’re also a college graduate. What message do you have for kids who want to dream big for their future?
WS: Actually, I am a proud Thai-Laotian-American. Recently came from the country of LAO PDR and I found out I had family there from my mother’s side. Finishing my education has been a blessing as I do plan to help the youth who have big dreams for their future. Aside from that, I do plan on setting up a program/gym where I can help people reach their fitness goals through boxing.
MC: Any other message for your friends, family and fans out there?
WS: Thank you, Michele, for taking the time to interview me. You have always been producing great content.
Thank you to my friends and family for supporting me in my dreams and that nothing is impossible. My sponsors: Americhip, O2 HealthLab, RMI International, IntaGems and Diamonds, The Cupcake Factory, Fight the Good fight, Zos Meal Plans. Also my employer, the County of Los Angeles and Symon’s Ambulance.
Also a small thank you to the doubters that doubted me and who continue to doubt me in what I do. It’s OK. I’m alive and well, and blessed!!
MC: Thanks again, Walter…and keep fighting the good fight!
WS: Thank you, Michele! So great seeing you. Just like old times!
Photos by Michele Chong/Additional photos courtesy of Juan Espinoza