That expertise comes from the scouts and trainers who scour amateur matches at dusty town “fiestas”, rely on spotters’ referrals or size up hopefuls as young as eight training in well-worn gyms.

They are the lesser known but vital cogs in the Philippines’ boxing machine, which has produced dozens of world champion fighters, many of whom were born into poverty.

It’s a risky way to make a living — some coaches have faced ruin when the fighters they have backed, pouring money into their training and upkeep, didn’t win.

But when victory comes, the pay-off can be big, or at least enough to keep going in the sport they love.

The shining example is, of course, Pacquiao. Born into a poor family, he quit school at 14 and ended up on the street. Pacquiao, now also a Philippine senator, declared assets worth some $59 million in 2018.

His career, including an unparalleled eight world championships in different weight divisions, is a tempting incitement to boys born into similarly bleak circumstances.