Pound-for-pound boxing hero Manny Pacquiao's success in the sport has spurred a renewed interest among the youth in the Philippines. Seen as an opportunity to get out of poverty, child boxers like these in Davao train hard and make it to national competitions despite the lack of food, funding and training facilities. Only when they have gone through a grueling climb to the top can the privileged few get sponsorships and opportunities one needs to follow their hero's path.

Davao, Philippines (2007)