The “Schoolboy” Returns Tomorrow!

Boxer and Grad Student Walter Sarnoi is back

After a six-month sabbatical super bantamweight Walter “Schoolboy” Sarnoi is setting aside his books and heading back into the ring.

He’ll be fighting tomorrow night in the “High Stakes” show promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. Held at the outdoor Omega Products International venue in Corona, California, five bouts are scheduled to take place featuring some top-notch rising stars including Josesito Lopez and Mauricio Herrera.

Sarnoi’s return is something the fighter has held in his sights even while hitting those schoolbooks at Azusa Pacific University. The Monterey Park resident has been taking courses toward his Master’s Degree in Business Administration during his short layoff from the sweet science.

How does one balance school and sport?

If you have the discipline and resolve like Sarnoi does, you find a way to succeed.

Balancing boxing and books cannot be easy. Not lacking ambition, the 23-year-old is dedicated and passionate enough to make both avenues a success, even if that means homework past midnight and roadwork before the sun comes up. Now that his final exams are over, he’s excited about finally lacing up again.

Always a positive thinker, the grad student (3-0, 2 KOs) thrives on the intense schedule he’s put himself through since his last fight in February. While some wonder why the young boxer would jeopardize his higher education by being in such a violent sport, the Thai-American feels he can prove to others that you can succeed in school–and also in the boxing ring. It’s not just one or the other; he feels he can do both, and that he doesn’t have to make a choice between the ring and the classroom just yet. The learning curve as a new pro fighter has been steep, but the determined Sarnoi says he’s up to the challenge of his twin goals.

While many fighters do not have the financial means–or interest–in attaining a college degree, Sarnoi graduated from North Michigan University in 2007. He was also an amateur standout as a member of the college’s National Boxing Team. After earning his degree in finance he focused on his pro boxing career while taking a break from school.

Now he is earning his MBA while continuing with his pro fight ambitions. Switching his backpack for a gym bag is a routine he’s accustomed to.

I caught up with the student athlete before his Friday night fight, as he discussed everything from sacrificing sleep while training and studying, going back to South Africa to help feed the poor, and the sudden good fortune of rubbing elbows with the stars at ringside!

Michele Chong: Hi Walter, you’re fighting this Friday. Tell us about what you’ve been up to since your last bout.

Walter Sarnoi: I’ve been busy going to school and at the same time following a strict training schedule to help prepare for my upcoming fights. As you know, I’m going for my MBA at Azusa Pacific University (APU). And I’m thankful that the APU School of Business is sponsoring me for this fight.

MC: Who is your opponent and what do you know about him?

WS: From what I know, my opponents have been switched about two times now and this one is Johnny Lopez from Idaho.

MC: How’s your training been going?

WS: Training’s going well, best shape I could be in right now. I’ve been sparring up to seven rounds at a fast pace without getting tired, and have also been eating the right foods. I’m eating five times a day getting the proper amount of nutrition where I feel great even though I’m losing weight! (Laughs)

MC: How’s your grad school coming along?

WS: Grad school is wonderful, I just finished my first semester. It was very intense since I took a two-year break from school. I’ve been learning new things, meeting new friends, and getting to know the APU Staff. I enjoy being around the campus and new environment.

MC: The hardest thing about balancing school and boxing?

WS: The hardest thing is being able to keep up with the training and workload because it can be stressful–mentally and physically. There are times when I do homework till midnight and then go running at 5 a.m. Sometimes I start my training regimen early with just a little bit of sleep!

MC: What are you looking forward to the most this Friday?

WS: I’m looking forward to winning this fight! I put so much time and sacrifice in the gym to learn and improve my boxing game to be the best. I plan to stay busy throughout the rest of the year.

MC: What have been your Top 3 highlights of the year so far?

WS: The first was going to training camp with Yonnhy Perez in South Africa. It was a great experience and I look forward to being a part of the next training camp for his world title when he faces Joseph Agbeko of Ghana. The second was getting accepted to business school. And my third highlight was feeding the kids in Africa at the orphanage. It’s something I have always wanted to do–and finally did it! I still want to go back and contribute more to the people that don’t have the same opportunity many people here in the U.S. have.

MC: The best thing that happened since turning pro?

WS: Being able to travel still as I did in the amateurs and training with world champions and contenders. You learn so much from being around that environment. And also being invited to many public events and big fights. When I was an amateur I remember sitting in the seats all the way in the back, and now I’m sitting ringside at many big fights!

MC: Your plans and goals for the rest of the year?

WS: To still be able to travel with my boxing and keep up with my school. I want to represent my supporters and my school to the best of my ability. And of course, stay undefeated. (Laughs)

MC: You and fellow fighter Shawn Estrada recently went to Denver to support amateur boxing. Any other trips planned?

WS: I’m a strong supporter of amateur boxing and currently involved with the Athlete Advisory Council where we bring athlete issues to our concern about Olympic Boxing. We went to the 2009 U.S. Championships to support the upcoming future star athletes and make plans to improve the sport.

MC: Your advice for young, amateur boxers planning to go pro?

WS: Get all the experience you can now as an amateur boxer. Whether its local, national, or international. It will be beneficial to your career if you plan to turn pro. But at the same time it’s good not to put too much pressure on yourself where you’re thinking too much about yourself turning pro. Everyone’s time will come, just like mine!

MC: What would you like to say to your friends and supporters?

WS: I just want to thank God and that I have faith in everything I do. Thanks to the APU School of Business for their support. And thanks to my momma, my sparring partners, Yonnhy Perez, the people that have been with the “Schoolboy” since I started and believed I had the ability to accomplish my goals, like my trainer Danny, and my trainers that have molded me to be where I am today, you know who you are!

Sarnoi is definitely earning his nickname of the “Schoolboy” while handling the duality of college and boxing with flying colors. He has been a quick study off campus as well. His coach, Danny Zamora, is impressed by Walter’s work ethic in the gym. “It’s been great working with him,” says the Santa Fe Springs-based trainer. “I have only had him for one year in my gym, so little by little we are getting to the point of him adjusting to my style and getting to know him better.”

Zamora and Sarnoi recently traveled to South Africa with fighter Yonnhy Perez, who scored an upset victory over Silence Mabuza. Sarnoi was Perez’s sparring partner and gained valuable experience from the trip. Their trainer says the three work well together and Perez has also been helping out Sarnoi. “It is always great to have Yonnhy in our gym and help us out with sparring.”

And as much as the talented Walter loves the fight game, his coach encourages him to also continue his education. “He’s a very smart kid, and when he asked me if I thought he should continue school–or take a break and concentrate on boxing–I told him he needed to go to school. My schedule is flexible so we were able to work around his schedule.”

Trainer Zamora–whose mother, Hilda, serves as Vice-President of the Santa Fe Springs Board of Education–knows the importance of Sarnoi achieving his Master’s Degree, “Education is more important than anything because nobody can ever take away your degree!”

Watch the “School Boy” in action tomorrow night as he strives to get those high marks–this time inside the ropes.

For more information or tickets to “High Stakes”

Call Thompson Boxing Promotions: (714) 935-0900

6:30 Doors open

7:45 First bell

Photos courtesy of Jamez Bezjian and Walter Sarnoi: Colorado Springs Amateur Boxing Team; Sarnoi with Shane Mosley, Amir Khan, Librado Andrade, Danny Garcia, Mario Lopez; Training with Coach Danny Zamora